West Central Missouri Community Action Agency has proudly served a nine-county region in west central Missouri since 1965. The organization’s mission, “West Central helps people and communities reach their fullest potential by cultivating and coordinating resources, building partnerships, and advocating for change,” is reflected in the wide range of programs and services offered. Each year, the agency provides housing assistance, emergency services, energy conservation, employment and training, transportation, and credit-building resources to over 10,500 individuals.
West Central’s primary service area includes Cass, Bates, Benton, Cedar, Henry, Hickory, Morgan, St. Clair, and Vernon counties. Program expansions have extended services into Barton, Camden, Dade, Dallas, Howell, Jackson, Polk, and Bourbon and Crawford counties in Kansas.
WHAT WE DO
When people live in rural areas and don’t have enough income, it can be hard to access good jobs, quality housing, food, and opportunities that might be more easily accessed in urban areas. We connect people in rural west central Missouri to help with employment, food, housing, transportation, utility bills, and more, so that people can create the success they envision.
In addition to its core services, West Central’s community development corporation, New Growth, fosters entrepreneurship and small business development. The New Growth Women’s Business Center and the business acceleration network, Start Here, help entrepreneurs and small business owners thrive. The agency’s transportation initiative, New Growth Transit, utilizes a volunteer driver network to offer free rides to individuals for employment, medical appointments, shopping, and other needs.
For more information, visit www.newgrowthmo.org
ABOUT NEW GROWTH
It can be hard to start or grow a business in rural communities. New Growth connects both farm and non-farm entrepreneurs and neighbors with resources they may not know about so that businesses and individuals succeed here faster—strengthening communities and creating jobs today and for the next generation.
