The year of vibrance

I went to high school in Jefferson City, MO. Most of my family still lives there and over the holidays, I basically do too. Jeff is a quaint town with a vibrant group of people who are excited about getting involved and giving back. I had the pleasure of meeting with a few of these people during my most recent visit and have to say I was inspired.

HALO has had a branch in Jefferson City for the past 4 years which has been extremely successful in raising funds and awareness for their sister orphanage, the Mengo Home in Uganda. More recently, local needs for at-risk and homeless youth have been coming to our attention.

Mengo Girls in Kampala, Uganda

During 2011, we committed time to researching these needs and how HALO may be able to help. According to the 2009 census, the population was around 40,000 in Jeff and about 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line. We've met with multiple potential partner agencies who take care of the children in the community who are in the harshest of situations. This includes a homeless shelter which has 15-20 youth per night who have nothing to do but sit among the adult homeless people.  I never knew there were homeless youth living in Jefferson City. It also includes agencies that serve at-risk youth who come from unstable families and children who are in the foster care system and there are a lot of them.

All of these agencies expressed a profound need for a safe haven that provides educational, future-focused opportunities for these children. They need a place where they are able to grow and flourish while building relationships with mentors who will invest in their future. These are things most of us grew up with every day. These are things every child deserves. 


After careful consideration, HALO is opening our third HALO Learning Center in Jefferson City. The faces that pass through those doors will be the vibrant group of people I mentioned committed to investing in youth who deserve to succeed. The children who are staying at the homeless shelter will have someone to turn to and help them dream beyond their situations. We will open our arms to foster and at-risk youth who are the in the most need to give them hope, opportunities, and a bright outlook.

HALO Learning Center, Kansas City

HALO Jefferson City will continue to support the Mengo Home. They have just made a huge leap and will also be supporting their local center. Everyone at HALO Headquarters feels this will be their year. We know it will be. Stay tuned for more updates. They are only getting started.

To get involved or learn more about how you may support HALO JC, email halojc@haloworldwide.org
Like HALO JC on Facebook here.