Its work after the May 22 tornado that struck Jefferson City gave Building Community Bridges much-needed exposure.
But, it also briefly prevented the nonprofit organization from focusing on its mission - to create programs around the gifts and abilities children have, support them and foster an entrepreneurial spirit within them - BCB Executive Director Alicia Edwards said.
The community surrounding the organization called on it to do so much more after the storm, she said.
It still considered itself a grassroots organization on May 22, Edwards said. The organization had filed for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status but was waiting for approval (which came in June).
Doug Wright III, owner of Doug's Auto Detailing, began the fledgling nonprofit in November 2017, hoping to reach youth in the low-income, central Jefferson City community. And, just a little over a year ago, Wright signed a lease on the structure, at 213 E. Ashley St. Wright's vision of giving back to a community that supports him was just beginning to take shape.
The first six months within the building saw rapid changes - although much work remains.
The organization developed athletic, art, dance and music departments. It plans to create a fine arts and modeling department that will incorporate sewing, fashion, photography and other specialties.
Children will have opportunities to experience those disciplines while the organization works to strengthen families, Edwards said.
"When we're training your child - and bettering your child - they go back home with positive reinforcement," Edwards said. "Because basic needs are being met on the parental side."
Then, the tornado, which contained 160-mph winds, raked through 3 miles of east Jefferson City.
"We asked ourselves, as a community center, 'What can we do for the people being affected?'" she said. "It was discouraging because the next morning I reached out to news sources to get publicity. No coverage was being made for the low-income area."
The organization had to determine on its own how to help the community's low-income families that rent homes in the area, who had lost everything.
Volunteers reached out to the people they knew, and donations began to flood in.
"We were able to provide hot lunches. We were able to provide clothing, household items, food - all those things that were needed in the community - for a good two months," Edwards said. "With everything we had left over, we continued a program with the pantry twice a month."
The pantry and other services weren't in the plans for the organization.
"Now that we have our 501(c)(3), we're able to link up with all these other organizations to provide services for the people where we can't," she said. "Now, we have a partnership with Linn State, which offers a 'skill-up' training course. We'll do computer literacy."
In November, the organization will begin a partnership with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri that will allow it to continue its food pantry operation. It is partnering with Central Missouri Community Action to provide "a host" of programs and classes to strengthen parents in the community.
"We've learned a lot through life experiences," Edwards said. "The easiest way to gain support is from someone who has been where you've been."
After the tornado, Edwards has attended system-of-care, immediate needs and other meetings with other agencies. She is finding that needs aren't being entirely met because members of the community are afraid to open up to officials and agencies.
"They don't know what backlash will come from the agencies," she said.
The nonprofit knew of a family that was living in a red-tag house.
Officials assessed houses the tornado damaged and marked them with placards - green, yellow or red, depending on the severity of the damage. Houses marked with red tags after the tornado were considered unsafe for habitation.
"They were afraid that if they got the assistance they needed, they would be reported and possibly have their children taken away," Edwards said. "With us being an agency that was not mandated to report, we were able to assist them and hook them up with agencies to provide the services they need."
The organization has come a long way, she continued.
It has been very busy the past six months but recently got back to renovating its own building.
"Everything that we've done is grassroots. We put all our fundraising on hold; I put (work) on hold," Edwards said. "So, I wasn't doing any work to support my family. The community center isn't funded, so I found myself in the same predicament as people I was helping."
The major goal now is to find funding - sponsorships for programs. Everything it offers children is free.
The last thing organizers want is for children to not be able to participate in activities because their parents can't afford them.
"BCB has become that hub, or safe space, where anyone can come in - whether they're addicts, veterans, single mothers, whether they just moved to Jeff City and don't know where to find resources," Edwards said. "We've been able to provide help for a variety of people, not just low-income and minorities."
The organization is to host a celebration of the neighborhood's heroes - during Celebrating the Superhero Inside - recognizing the BCB family and the people in the community who have made a difference in 2019.
It is to be held Nov. 2 at Building Community Bridges, 213 E. Ashley St. Doors open at 3 p.m. The awards ceremony begins at 4 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
BCB will host a "Queens and Their Princesses High Tea" fundraiser at noon Nov. 16 at Living Hope Church, 3011 S. Ten Mile Drive. The event will feature tea, a light lunch, games, prizes and a princess dance party.
Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite princesses, in their fanciest dress, or in whatever makes them feel comfortable and beautiful.
Tickets are $20 for queens (adults) with their princess (child). Each additional princess is $5.
For information, call 573-616-2845.