COMMUNITY SERVICES
CAPNEMO Community Programs & Outreach
Building Stronger Communities Across Northeast Missouri
The Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri (CAPNEMO) provides programs, educational opportunities, simulations, leadership development, and outreach activities designed to strengthen individuals, families, youth, and communities throughout Adair, Clark, Knox, Scotland, and Schuyler Counties.
Jamison Street Community Garden
The Jamison Street Community Garden in Adair County provides support, supplies, and garden plots to community gardeners. This program is designed to assist lower-income individuals, older adults, individuals with disabilities, children, and others who may not have the opportunity to maintain a garden on their own.
We believe gardening helps individuals and families stretch their food dollars while improving nutritional intake. Community gardens also enhance the overall quality of life within neighborhoods by encouraging self-sufficiency, healthy lifestyles, and a stronger sense of community among participants.
Program Benefits
Garden plots and gardening support
Increased access to fresh produce
Encourages healthy eating habits
Promotes self-sufficiency and community involvement
Supports neighborhood wellness and connection
Steps-to-Success
The Steps-to-Success program engages youth ages 14–18, along with community members, in understanding, supporting, advocating for, and acting on behalf of youth throughout Adair, Clark, Knox, Scotland, and Schuyler Counties.
Through this 12-week program, participants build self-confidence, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of self-worth. Youth are empowered to seek answers, advocate for themselves and others, and contribute to personal and community betterment.
Volunteering within schools and communities promotes ownership and encourages youth to become actively involved in addressing local issues. Community members are also mobilized to support area youth and develop positive connections with future leaders.
Program Objectives
Improve public speaking skills
Learn goal-setting techniques
Increase community involvement
Learn teamwork and collaboration
Build positive relationships
Develop conflict resolution skills
Explore career opportunities
Understand mental health and wellness
Learn leadership and advocacy skills
The VOICE Project
The VOICE Project was developed to address vocational aspiration and career awareness among local elementary students. Many low-income children are exposed to only a limited variety of careers and professions, which may influence their future aspirations.
The program lasts approximately 60–180 minutes. Participants begin in a common area where they receive an overview of the activity and are issued Job Passport Cards. Volunteers then guide small groups through stations representing six different career pathways.
Students spend approximately 10 minutes at each station before receiving a colored stamp in their Job Passport Card corresponding to the completed pathway.
After visiting all stations, participants return to the common area to vote for their favorite career booth using aspiration tokens. This process encourages discussion regarding their experiences and career interests. Each participant also receives a discussion sheet to continue conversations about career awareness and vocational aspirations with caregivers at home.
Program Highlights
Career exploration opportunities
Interactive learning stations
Hands-on vocational exposure
Encourages future career planning
Family discussion and engagement activities
Youth Leadership Camp
Youth Leadership Camp utilizes the independent living skills curriculum compiled by Project LIFE for young people who are in need of learning, strengthening, or supporting life skills necessary to successfully transition into adulthood.
Participants gain practical knowledge and experience in areas such as:
Financial literacy and budgeting
Employment readiness
Communication skills
Decision-making and goal setting
Wellness and self-care
Housing responsibilities
Leadership and teamwork
Community involvement
The program is designed to build confidence, independence, leadership, and long-term success.
REALL Simulation
Reality Enrichment and Life Lessons
The REALL Simulation encourages students to analyze how career choices, education, skills, and economic conditions impact income and goal attainment.
This interactive role-play simulation lasts approximately three hours from setup to completion and includes four “weeks” of simulated life experiences completed in 15-minute increments.
Students gain insight into the realities faced by low-income households while learning how financial decisions, employment, education, and available resources affect daily living and long-term stability.
The simulation also encourages participants to identify ways they can support positive community change and better understand the challenges experienced by individuals and families living with limited resources.
Simulation Focus Areas
Budgeting and financial decision-making
Education and career impacts
Economic challenges and barriers
Problem-solving and teamwork
Community awareness and empathy
Understanding the realities of poverty
Poverty Simulation (CAPS)
Community Action Poverty Simulation
Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. However, unless someone has personally experienced poverty, it can be difficult to fully understand the challenges and barriers associated with it.
The Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) bridges that gap by moving participants from misconception to understanding through an interactive immersion experience.
CAPS is not a game. It is based on the real-life experiences of Community Action clients and the challenges they face every day.
During the simulation, participants role-play the life of a low-income family while navigating common challenges related to:
Housing
Employment
Childcare
Transportation
Healthcare
Food insecurity
Financial instability
CAPS Exists To:
Promote Poverty Awareness
Participants experience a simulated month in poverty and gain a better understanding of the realities faced by low-income families.
Increase Understanding
Following the simulation, participants engage in reflection and discussion to process what they learned and explore opportunities for community change.
Inspire Local Change
Participants are encouraged to become advocates for change within their families, workplaces, schools, and communities.
Transform Perspectives
The simulation helps shift the perception of poverty away from being viewed as a personal failure and toward understanding poverty as a structural issue and societal challenge.
Information & Presentations
To increase awareness of available programs and services throughout the five-county service area, CAPNEMO participates in numerous fairs, community events, outreach activities, and presentations.
Staff members provide information, answer questions, distribute brochures and applications, and meet face-to-face with residents to help connect individuals and families with available resources and opportunities.
Outreach Services Include
Community fairs and events
Educational presentations
Program awareness booths
Resource distribution
Community engagement activities
Information sessions and outreach
Contact CAPNEMO
For additional information regarding any of these programs or services, please contact:
Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri (CAPNEMO)
PO Box 966
Kirksville, MO 63501
Phone: 660-665-9855
_001.jpg)
