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

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, standing outdoors in front of a building with a sign that reads 'DCL' and 'Springfield'. She is wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with a logo and text. The bottom of the image has a black banner with her name 'Jody' and the title 'Executive Director' in white text.
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling in front of a building with a red and white sign that reads "DC Springfield." She is wearing a black sweatshirt with a logo on the chest. The text overlay at the bottom reads "Kara, Program Director."
A woman standing in front of a building with a sign reading 'DC Springfield.' She is smiling and wearing a T-shirt with a map of Georgia and the letters 'DC.' The text below her reads 'Kristen, Development Director.'
Portrait of Julie, a woman with blonde hair, standing outside a building with a sign that reads "Springfield" and "DC", wearing a dark t-shirt with a logo, labeled as "Dream Center Academy Director".
A young woman standing outdoors in front of a building with a red sign that reads 'DC Springfield &'. She is smiling and wearing a black t-shirt with a city skyline graphic and the words 'Springfield Dream Center'.
A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a pink t-shirt with white text and logo, standing outdoors in front of a blurred background of a building and greenery.
A woman with long blonde hair smiling and wearing a red t-shirt with a springfield skyline graphic and the text 'Springfield DC Dream Center.' She is standing outside in front of a building with the Springfield DC Dream Center sign visible in the background.
A man standing outside a building with a sign that reads 'DC Springfield.' He is wearing a pink T-shirt that says 'DC Dream Team' and is smiling at the camera.
Portrait of a woman in a red Springfield DC Dream Center t-shirt standing outdoors in front of a building with a sign that reads Springfield and DC, with a banner below stating April DCA Assistant Director.