Welcome Home, a veteran-centric nonprofit organization, was named the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce during the Quarterly Membership Breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The Columbia nonprofit organization, founded in 1992, focuses on honoring and restoring the lives of unhoused and at-risk veterans through their emergency shelter and permanent housing programs.
“Our ultimate goal is to make sure that every veteran who has served our country, signed that dotted line does not spend one night on the streets, and has the opportunity to live the quality of life they deserve after service,” Megan Sievers, the executive director for Welcome Home, said.
Welcome Home was one of five nonprofit organizations recognized as finalists for the second-annual award ceremony. Other nominees include Day Dreams Foundation, Job Point, True North of Columbia and Woodhaven.
All of the nominated organizations share the same goal of adequately serving the residents of Columbia.
Megan Sievers, the executive director of Welcome Home, receives applause as her organization is named Nonprofit of the Year by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce at The Crossing Church on Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Columbia, Mo. Welcome Home works to support homeless and at-risk veterans in mid-Missouri.
Day Dreams Foundation, founded in 2014 by Columbia resident Joe Bradley, seeks to relieve the financial barriers associated with extracurricular activities. They provide children an environment where they can openly participate in sports, music, dance and robotics clubs, free from the strains of monetary burdens.
“It’s more than just a season of dance or a season of basketball,” Adonica Coleman, the executive director of Day Dreams Foundation, said. “Those things set kids up for a lifetime of discipline and respect, and going on to become the young women, the young men that you see that become model citizens.”
Similarly, Job Point, a 60-year-old organization established by the Columbia Cosmopolitan Luncheon Club in 1965, focuses on providing individuals with disabilities with career readiness training and job placement assistance. They have nine certificates offered with their trades program, and a YouthBuild initiative that helps 16- to 24-year-olds obtain their high school equivalency.
“Our target audience is really anybody with various life challenges that really wants to go from where they’re at to where they really want to be,” John Scalise, Job Point president and CEO, said.
True North of Columbia provides safety, shelter and educational support to victims of domestic and sexual violence, striving to empower survivors in their healing process and leading them to regain control of their lives.
“Every day, we witness courage and bravery and strength from the individuals that come into our agency, and every time that they finally find their voice or realize that they can make their own choices … it is life changing,” Michele Snodderley, the executive director of True North of Columbia, said.
Matthew Gass, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, directs guests to submit words that represent leadership during the group’s quarterly membership breakfast at The Crossing Church on Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Columbia, Mo. Gass began the event by discussing upcoming plans to recruit a new president and CEO for the chamber.
Woodhaven began in 1964 as the Woodhaven Christian Home for Exceptional Children. The organization, which has operated within Columbia for 61 years, serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Woodhaven seeks to provide these citizens with the tools necessary to enhance their lives, respect their individuality and promote their membership and involvement in the community.
“Truly, everything that we do is about true community inclusion and commitment and giving back to their community so that they can live with dignity, just like you and I would want to do,” Woodhaven CEO Joy Sweeney said.
This November Quarterly Membership Breakfast marks the second year in which the Columbia Chamber of Commerce has awarded this title and honor to a nonprofit entity. The award celebrates and acknowledges the hard work, dedication and contributions put forth by these organizations that often go unseen.
To conclude the ceremony, Sievers, the executive director of the awarded 2025 Nonprofit of the Year Welcome Home, provided final, heartfelt remarks.
“This has been the coolest, the most special experience,” Sievers said. “I mean, just to be alongside all of these amazing nonprofits, to be in a community with so many incredible businesses, charitable hearts and charities that do such incredible work, we are humbled … So, from the bottom of my heart, and my gratitude to everybody that is the heart of our mission to end veteran homelessness, thank you. Thank you so much.”