Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Bright Futures Poplar Bluff celebrated its one-year anniversary with a breakfast symposium attended by an estimated 125 supporters on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Gamma HealthCare Conference Center. Speakers included original program affiliates from across Missouri as well as members of the national board.
 
Bright Futures Poplar Bluff is a non-profit organization run by school social workers that, through partnerships, helps to meet the basic physical needs of students so they can focus on academics. Symposium speaker Kim Vann, Bright Futures USA executive director, cited that the national organization currently has 39 affiliate communities in seven states serving 170,000 children. Poplar Bluff R-I is the first district in Southeast Missouri to implement the program model, which originated in Joplin in 2010.
 
According to a report co-coordinator Carrie Booker provided to the R-I school board on Thursday, Aug. 20, in less than one year Bright Futures Poplar Bluff has helped 17 families seek relief, providing items ranging from a water heater to a cap and gown. Between the overseeing advisory board and the site councils at the district’s individual schools, over 65 community partnerships have been forged with parents, faith-based organizations, businesses and human service agencies.

Following the symposium, Lori Amoss (left), who serves as a parent on the Eugene Field site council, visits with speaker Tracie Skaggs, the coordinator of Bright Futures Carl Junction, which was the first community to affiliate with the organization after it became incorporated.

Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District