“Making a Difference” on Ozarks Public Radio

In partnership with Ozarks Public Radio

Personal stories told by local voices.

Produced in cooperation with KSMU – Ozarks Public Radio, Making a Difference is a long-running series that explores key issues impacting our community. Past seasons have included first person accounts of life with mental illness and Story Corps-style interviews by people involved in the CFO’s programs.

2024: Outdoor Access 

• Community garden in Ava provides organic vegetables for seniors
• A once-thriving mining town in Lawrence County will soon be home to a recovery center for up to 48 people
• Inclusive playgrounds are being built in the Ozarks, allowing kids with differing abilities to play together and offering better access for caregivers

2023-24: The Community Foundation of the Ozarks past, present and future

The current season of Making a Difference explores the CFO's legacy for the foundation's 50th anniversary and looks at what might be ahead.

• Winter Kinne plans to continue the legacy left by her predecessors while bringing new ideas to the CFO
• Keep making a difference after you're no longer here through planned giving
• Giving circles allow donors to pool their money and have a bigger impact — and a voice — in their communities
• Four local nonprofit leaders weigh in on the future of philanthropy
• CFO's YEP helps young people make a difference in their communities
• Stockton 2003 tornado launches the Community Foundation of the Ozark's efforts in disaster recovery
• Community Foundation of the Ozarks celebrates 5o years since its founding
   

2022–23: A Note from the Teacher

In this season, Making a Difference features first person stories from teachers in the rural Ozarks.

• Aurora counselor and former educator recalls a lesson her students once taught her
• Cassville teacher, made to feel different as child because of his race, inspires students at the school district he grew up in
• Bilingual teacher offers math in both Spanish and English in one Ozarks school district
• Rural schools provide more than education for students
• In the rural Ozarks, teachers are a safety net

2021–22: Community Focus Report Roundtables

With the publication of the 2021 Community Focus Report for Springfield & Greene County, Making a Difference takes a different approach with half-hour panel discussions on each of the report’s 11 topic areas.
 

• Business and Economic Development
• Housing
• Transportation
• Citizen Participation
• Arts & Culture
• Early Childhood
• Recreation, Sports and Leisure
• Environment
• Education
• Public Order and Safety
• Community Health

2020–21: Connecting Through Conversation

Civil discussion is an important quality for our community. This series features conversations between people who have differing perspectives but enjoy respectful relationships.

• Father, son prioritize mutual respect when talking politics
• Longtime pals sustain friendship despite political differences
• Two Ozarks friends take the high road toward common ground
• Creating inclusive excellence in the Ozarks

2019–20: Conversations on Collaboration
 

Collaboration has long been considered one of the Springfield community’s greatest strengths. The 2019–20 season of “Making a Difference” explores different examples of how collaboration continues to make the community a better place to live.

• Brian Fogle, Tom Finnie and Tom Carlson on a historical view of collaboration in Springfield
• Attendees of the Philanthropy Summit share thoughts on collaboration’s role in philanthropy
• Alice Wingo, Robin Morgan and Sarah Morgan on the collaborative development of the Rural Ozarks Health Initiative
• Tim Rosenbury and the Walton Family Foundation’s Gary Vernon on placemaking and trailbuilding
• Brian Fogle, Janet Dankert and Greg Burris on “Philanthropy Row” and its response to COVID-19
• Christopher Koch, Andrew Parker and Beth Doman on establishing the Ozarks Performing Arts League to sustain their respective organizations during an unprecedented time

2018–19: Let’s Talk About It! Normalizing Mental Health Conversations

Spurred by the mental health needs assessment of Springfield and Greene County and increasing red flags related to mental health identified by the 2019 Community Focus Report, this award-winning series, produced by Mike Smith and Jamie Henline, shares first-person accounts of mental health struggles from local residents.

• Stephanie Appleby on agoraphobia and suicide
• Kendall Swanson and Brent Swanson on addiction
• Tim and Mary Jane Holmes on suicide and depression
• Anthony Norris on traumatic-brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Liz Delaney on depression
• Carolyn Crawford on bipolar disorder

Previous episodes of “Making a Difference”

Find segments dating back to 2013 on ksmu.org.

More about MAD