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NEWS & NOTES
MO Better Team to Play a Role in ITEEA Annual Conference
We are excited to attend the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA)'s 2025 Professional Conference in St. Louis from April 2 to 5. This conference presents an unparalleled learning opportunity for technology, engineering, and STEM educators across the country. It will feature dozens of special interest sessions, ITEEA's renowned STEM Showcase, and engaging social and networking events.
As a sponsor of the ITEEA Reach Challenge, David Welborn, Founder of the MO Better Foundation, will be on hand to help present the winners of the 2024 Reach Challenge. The REACH Challenge (https://lnkd.in/eGT49PuV) is an impactful project focused on Adaptive and Assistive Technology design for middle school, high school, and college STEM programs, showcasing ITEEA’s mission that “Technology and Engineering Bring STEM to Life!” Teachers receive a toolkit of curriculum and resources to guide their students in creating viable adaptive or assistive technological solutions to assist individuals in their communities. Projects can then be submitted to ITEEA for a chance to earn awards and funding for their STEM programs.
You can view the winners of this year's challenge at https://lnkd.in/eVqd9ZJG.
Volunteers Stepping Up to Further Mission
Add a short bio for each team member. Make it brief and informative to keep visitors engaged.
Jonathan Tessmer
Will Chair MO Better Newly Formed
Recreation Committee
We are excited to announce that John Tessmer, a member of the MO Better Advisory Council and co-creator of our Young Professional group, has volunteered to chair our newly established MO Better Inclusive Recreation Program. This program aims to raise awareness of and advocate for recreation opportunities in Missouri for individuals living with physical disabilities. John will leverage his personal experiences to help influence MO Better Foundation decisions regarding funding and developing Assistive and Adaptive devices that enhance recreational activities for all.John, 31, is a Benefits Analyst with Enterprise Mobility in St. Louis, MO, and lives with Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD), a condition that leads to progressive muscle weakness, primarily affecting the legs and pelvis. “Jonathan is a tech-savvy sports enthusiast and outdoor lover who has participated in competitive sports such as tennis, volleyball, and table tennis during high school and college,” said David Welborn, Founder and Executive Director of MO Better Foundation. “As Jonathan’s BMD has progressed, he has continued to find ways to stay active and engaged in sports and recreational activities. We are excited to use his enthusiasm and experience to help us grow this important program.”John and his wife Sarah reside in St. Peters, MO. He is a graduate of Lindenwood University, where he earned a degree in Accounting and Sports Management.
Jamal Stevenson
Joins MO Better Advisory Council
We are thrilled to announce that Jamal Stevenson has agreed to join the MO Better Foundation's Advisory Council, a group of dedicated volunteers from diverse fields, who share their expertise to help the organization raise awareness, grow our mission, and support individuals living with disabilities to lead fuller lives.
Jamal serves as the Chief Sales Officer (CSO) for We Hear You, Inc, a company focused on developing innovative solutions that enable individuals to access and engage with the world more seamlessly.
“We are extremely excited to have Jamal on our Advisory Council,” said Dave Welborn, Founder and Executive Director of the MO Better Foundation. “Jamal is not only an emerging entrepreneur with a strong understanding of business development, but his passion for helping others and his contagious enthusiasm will be invaluable to our mission.”
Jamal is a graduate of Bradley University.
Ryan Harrison
Joins Community Engagement Committee
Ryan Harrison, Field Marketing Manager with BraunAbility United Access, is joining the MO Better Foundation Community Engagement Committee a team of volunteers throughout the state with a vast array of life experience dedicated to helping grow the Foundation's mission. Members will leverage their life experiences (personal and professional) and help boost awareness among professionals, civic organizations, and other groups by representing MO Better Foundation through social media and in-person interactions and presentations. In addition to his work with BruanAbilty United Access, Ryan, who was left paralyzed following an accident, is a volunteer Para Shooting Coach in St. Louis, MO
MO Better Foundation is thrilled to partner with innovative companies like Tobii Dynavox® whose mission is to develop groundbreaking assistive technology and communication solutions that empower people with disabilities to express themselves. Your donations help us cover co-pay costs for these devices, benefiting Missourians living with disabilities and opening up a world of possibilities for them. To help, visit
YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK. We are pleased to have a strong partnership with CoMo 3D Prints & Prototyping and ATvanced Care. Together, we are making life "more better" for those living with physical disabilities across Missouri.
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MO Better Foundation is spearheading a state-wide "Adaptive Gaming Coalition" with Occupational Therapists and Adaptive Technology Professionals each of which shares an interest in the therapeutic and emotional benefits of adaptive and inclusive gaming. MO Better is providing OT and ATP professionals gaming equipment for evaluation. Our partnership with CoMo 3D Prints & Prototyping and ATvanced Care allows us to provide the equipment to individuals for use in their therapy and personal enjoyment at home.
Thank You for Caring!
Donations like these are only possible with your continued support. For more information on how you can help MO Better Foundation help even more organizations, visit https://MOBetterGiving.givesmart.com
For information on St Louis HELP, visit https://www.stlhelp.org/
Your Donations at Work
Following our 2023 "Indulge" Gala, we immediately put YOUR donations to work in many ways including supporting an organization -- Steps Of Faith Foundation -- that shares our important Mission to help make life "more better" for those living with disabilities.
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Headquartered in Kansas City, Steps of Faith is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing prosthetic care, hope, and comfort to amputees needing financial support. It helps uninsured and underinsured amputees get the prosthetic limbs they need to restore mobility and restore possibilities. We are happy to support -- with YOUR help.
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For more information about Steps of faith, visit https://www.stepsoffaithfoundation.org/
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For information on ways to help MO Better Foundation, email dave@mobetter.org or visit www.mobetter.org
YOUR DONATIONS TRULY HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE! We were recently alerted by an Occupational Therapist working with a young woman in St. Louis living with Multiple Sclerosis. The woman, a home owner, was looking for assistance with the purchase and installation of smart home devices.
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We agreed to help and reached out to our Home Modification Partner at Neighborly of St. Louis. They immediately connected us to their team from Mr. Electric of St. Louis. Yesterday the crew went to the home and after assessing the woman’s needs, began installing several smart devices. The woman was “ecstatic” and reported that for the first time she feels truly independent and safe in her home! She promised pictures and videos, which we will share here!
This could not have possible without the support of the generous of a caring and giving community — many of you reading this — who share in our mission to help make life “more better” for Missourians living with physical disabilities, THANK YOU!!
We are VERY pleased to announce that Neighborly of St. Louis has been named a preferred vendor for MO Better Foundation as part of our Home Modification Program. Neighborly of St. Louis is a hub for home services that offers premier residential plumbing, heating & cooling and electrical services to the St. Louis & surrounding area through Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Mr. Electric of St. Louis. Air Serve of St. Louis, Property Medic STL, as well as, Kirkwood Plumbing and Eureka Heating and Cooling.
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MO Better Foundation Preferred Vendors are businesses, manufacturers and re-sellers that have a knowledge of and share in our mission. Each have agreed to best practices to meet the needs of the community we serve and to help make life “more better” for Missourians living with disabilities.
Modifications can include the physical structure of home like lowering countertop height, using ramps instead of steps, chair lifts instead of stairs, accessible bathrooms and free-standing showers. It can also include the installation of smart home devices that allow an individual to turn on lights without having to touch a switch, answer the front door from a bedroom, and tweak your thermostat with a simple voice command. Less extensive items can include grip-friendly doorknobs, switches, non-slip flooring, door push bars, transfer benches, modified shelving, modified faucets, modified wall sockets, and bathroom grab bars.
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For more information or to become a MO Better Preferred Vendor or donor, contact David Welborn at dave@mobetter.org