WHO WE ARE

Drawing of the Springfield Lehman Center building with trees on both sides and a sign that reads 'Springfield Lehman Center.'

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Empowering families to gain stability and build resilient futures through transformative relationships and targeted resources.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Springfield Dream Center strives to be a safe place that delivers dignity-driven support and services through relationship-centered programs to help families take next steps toward stability.

VISION STATEMENT

We envision a place where Dream Center families have support, skills and confidence to achieve lasting stability—where children dream boldly, parents lead confidently, and neighbors strengthen one another.

A simple line drawing of a house with a large red heart on the side, surrounded by a white cloud-like shape.

Core Values

  • We believe every person deserves to be treated with respect and has inherent worth regardless of their circumstances. We create environments and programs that honor the dignity of those we serve, avoiding charity models that create dependency.

Line drawing of two hands hugging a large red heart, representing love and care.

  • We believe lasting change happens through authentic connection. We prioritize deep relationships over transactional interactions, measuring our impact by the quality of our connections rather than just statistical outcomes.

Drawing of two hands, one holding a flower and the other reaching out, with red and black colors.

  • We believe families need comprehensive support addressing spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. We commit to walking alongside families through their entire journey toward stability, adapting our approach to their unique needs.

Red and white illustrated set of stairs with three steps, outlined in red with white fill.

  • We believe every person's story matters more than numbers. We value personal narratives of growth and change, celebrating incremental progress and honoring each family's unique journey toward stability.Item description

White hand with red outlines forming a bubble tea cup illustration, with the words 'Thank you' repeated five times in red and a red checkerboard pattern at the bottom.

  • We believe in rebuilding the village that supports families. We work to create interconnected networks of support that strengthen our community and foster belonging and mutual aid.

MEET OUR Executive DIRECTOR

Executive Director Jody Dow is the visionary behind the Springfield Dream Center.

Jody dreamed of opening a Dream Center since she was eleven years old. She started this journey as the first solo staff member and now leads a team who are passionately working to impact families with help and hope.

About the Dream Center

Located within walking distance of many of the families we serve in Springfield, Missouri, the Springfield Dream Center strives to be a safe place that delivers dignity-driven support and services through relationship-centered programs.

Since 2017, we’ve provided stability-focused programs out of the former Hamlin Baptist Church building, generously donated for this purpose.

North Point Church played an instrumental role in launching the Dream Center and remains a vital partner, contributing approximately 18–20% of our annual budget.

Today, the Dream Center continues as a collaborative community resource with strong faith-based partnerships, raising the majority of its funding through community partnerships, grants, and individual donors like you.

The Springfield Dream Center is also an affiliate of Dream Centers across the U.S., including locations in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Nashville—all committed to holistic transformation in their communities.

Meet the Team

  • Smiling woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing a bright blue blazer over a black top, standing indoors with a blurred background that includes a green plant and a concrete wall.

    JODY

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • A young woman with shoulder-length wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile, wearing a light blue button-up cardigan and dark pants, standing indoors with a blurred background of gray textured wall and a green plant.

    KRISTEN

    DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

  • A woman with light brown hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile, wearing a black button-up sweater and light blue jeans, standing indoors against a background of a concrete wall and a green plant.

    KARA

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

  • A woman with light brown, curled hair smiling, wearing a black top with eyelet details on the sleeves and a necklace, standing indoors with a blurred background of a gray wall and a green plant.

    ASHLEIGH

    EVENTS DIRECTOR

  • A woman with long blonde hair wearing a black blazer and a black shirt, standing indoors with a plant and curtains in the background.

    PATRICIA

    HOPE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

  • A young woman with long, wavy red hair smiling, wearing a black t-shirt, in front of a gray concrete wall and a green potted plant.

    SAMMY

    HELP PROGRAM DIRECTOR

  • A smiling man with short spiked hair and a tattoo on his left arm, wearing a blue polo shirt, standing in front of a grey concrete wall and a green plant.

    TERRY

    FACILITIES DIRECTOR

  • A woman with shoulder-length gray hair and blue eyes smiling, wearing a light green blouse with puffed sleeves and blue jeans, standing indoors with a gray wall and a large leafy green plant in the background.

    JULIE

    DREAM CENTER ACADEMY DIRECTOR

  • A woman with glasses and shoulder-length brown hair smiling in front of a concrete wall and a potted plant, wearing a light gray T-shirt with decorative buttons.

    APRIL

    DREAM CENTER ACADEMY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

  • A young man with curly blonde hair and light skin, wearing a blue short-sleeved button-up shirt, beige pants, a black watch, and a silver bracelet, standing indoors near a large window with curtains and a plant in the background.

    NATHAN

    DREAM CENTER ACADEMY MS/HS DIRECTOR

  • A woman smiling, wearing a cream-colored cardigan with blue floral pattern and blue jeans, standing in a living room with a concrete wall and green plant in the background.

    JAMI

    EMOTIONAL WELLNESS COACH