Partners and people come together at the Liston Center Regional Hub, where partners are working to create a one-stop resource center, a place to find solutions to individual, family, and community challenges. Through diverse programs, area organizations including the New Growth Women’s Business Center, HiSET, and On My Own Inc., team with West Central Community Services to create programs that set goals and find solutions for personal, family, and professional challenges. Programs are open to all residents of of El Dorado Springs as well as the neighboring communities that comprise the west central region of Missouri.  Learn more about this new initiative and our developing programs!

Do you pay Missouri Income tax? Here’s how your tax obligation can be directed to help support regional and long-lasting community development!

Through a highly competitive program, the Department of Economic Development has allotted $303,000 in 70% Missouri Tax Credits to support development of job training and employment programs at the Liston Center Regional Hub in El Dorado Springs. In return for a qualifying donation, Missouri tax payers can receive 70% of their donation as a credit toward their Missouri taxes. Consult your tax preparer about whether this would be an opportunity for you or your business, and be part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to impact growth in the area!  Visit our NAP page for more information!

New Growth Women's Business Center

The New Growth Women’s Business Center focuses on working with entrepreneurs to get their businesses going and growing. Services include Education and Training, Business Counseling, Financing, Credit Building, Mentorship, Leadership Building, Peer-to-Peer Networking, and Certifications. The WBC works with women and men within the 15-county service area of Barton, Bates, Benton, Camden, Cedar, Dade, Dallas, Henry, Hickory, Morgan, Polk, St. Clair, and Vernon Counties in Missouri, and Bourbon and Crawford Counties in Kansas.

Visit the New Growth Women’s Business Center

For more information, contact Tiffany Frost, tfrost@wcmcaa.org, 417-282-5936

Community Services

Our staff provides a wide array of services tailored to meet the needs of your family and community. Individualized programs for Life Skills, Leadership, Veterans Support, Job Skills, and computer technology are offered regularly. We also partner with local schools and food pantries, assist with housing, provide support for the homeless and for those re-entering the workforce. Our programs seek to actively address your identified needs.

For more information , contact Linda Schreck, 660-476-2185, ext. 1305  Visit our Community Services Page 

Get the skills you need to pass the HiSet/GED! Enrolling NOW

Classes meet Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sessions focus on reading, language, math, social studies, and science so students can gain skills for high school equivalency. Computers are provided.

Call 816-333-9332 to enroll, visit Literacykc.org, or email info@literacykc.org

On My Own, Inc., provides regular Independent Living Skills classes to sharpen life skills through budgeting, cooking, financial planning, stress management, parent support groups, and diabetes management. Class times vary.

For more information, call 1-800-362-8852, or visit us on facebook or our website! 

Community Event Space Available at Liston

West Central Liston is perfect for your next gathering! Encompassing over 6,000 sq. feet, Liston can serve your meeting or reunion needs. Seating is available for up to 115, includes rectangular tables & chairs.

For more information, please call Julie Engeman, 660-476-2185, or email jengeman@wcmcaa.org

Liston's Legacy Lives On

The beloved Liston School has been a symbol of education, community, and connections between families and friends for over 80 years. Today, that legacy continues, as the building takes on a new identity as the West Central -Liston Center Regional Hub.

The historic Liston School in El Dorado Springs was built in 1940 on the site of the community’s first schoolhouse, the North School, which had served the community from 1887 to 1940. It was named for Sally Liston, who taught at the North School 39 years.

The building served as a school for the community’s children until 1993, when it was retired as an educational center and was used for storage. By 2007, it had fallen into disrepair, and was purchased by El Do Youth, Inc., who undertook the massive renovation project. In addition to gutting and refitting the original building, EYC added a gymnasium and the footprint for a commercial kitchen. Youth events began in 2010, and included weekend activities for teens and an after school care program.

A new phase in the life of the beloved building began in 2019. West Central Missouri Community Action Agency and affiliate community development corporation New Growth began a partnership with EYC to expand opportunities for all community members, with assistance from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation. El Dorado Works, a job skills and employment program, was implemented at Liston, and along with several area and regional organizations, diverse community programs began. 

West Central purchased the building from EYC fall 2020, with the vision of creating a regional resource hub for individuals, families, and communities in the area. Since that time, the 15-county New Growth Women’s Business Center has been created and is headquartered at the building, assisting small businesses and individuals with business plans, improvement of credit scores, and revolving loan fund in addition to employment assistance. HiSET/GED classes are offered by KC Literacy; On My Own, Inc. provides self sufficiency support; and members of West Central’s team of Community Initiatives Coordinators and Family Assistance Coordinators work to develop programs on the local level throughout the area.

As COVID restrictions continue to allow more activity, additional partners, programs, and resources will become available. Donations for NAP tax credits will support this work, and new apprenticeships, job training, and educational programs are planned.

West Central is excited about this work at the Liston Center Regional Hub, and encourage you to join us! For more information about any of our programs, please contact us at: info@westcentral.com