SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Community Partnership of the Ozarks is bringing back its Day of Hope events for the first time in 2025.

They used to be monthly, but will now be quarterly, allowing CPO to focus on larger events across different sectors. Holding events like this for those in need tears down barriers to access for these key resources.

“Many of us are very blessed to be able to have access to those services whenever we need them,” said Michelle Garand, CPO’s Vice President of Housing and Homeless Prevention, “but there’s a large population that maybe doesn’t know how to access them or can’t afford to access them, so by completely destroying those barriers and being able to welcome people in a free and friendly event is something that we work hard to make sure we do as often as we can.”

The focus for May is health. People can get medical referrals and nursing services, HIV and STI testing, and free haircuts. While it’s not necessarily related to health, people can also register to vote.

“It’s so important for individuals to know how lucky we are to have a voice in our government,” Garand said, “and we want to make sure that the people that are struggling the most understand that their voices can be heard and a lot of times that is through the power of a vote.”

During the three-hour event, people can drop by at any time and find not just the advertised resources, but also volunteers who can connect them to whatever they may need.

“We’re able to provide not only the initial service that they set out to get, but also connecting them in a broader sense to a community that really cares and is able to provide holistic health care or employment care, legal care, whatever we can do to help stabilize that household.”

For anyone in a more secure position who wants to get involved, CPO is seeking numerous volunteers to ensure they can provide a strong Day of Hope to as many people as possible. You can learn more here .

May Day of Hope is from 9 a.m. to noon at the Green County Election Center located at 1126 N. Boonville Ave.

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