Who are we?
We are an Operating Agency of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks and are on mission to provide resources for children who have been abused and neglected in the jurisdiction of Greene County, MO in order to enhance their self-esteem and well-being.

Who do we serve?
Foster children from Greene County, Missouri. We also serve children & families who are working with Child Protective Services to prevent foster care placement and children who have recently returned home from foster care. In addition to ensuring local abused & neglected children have opportunities for success, our programs also relieve the financial burden placed upon foster parents and kinship homes. There are currently over 1,060 children in foster care from Greene County--the highest number ever recorded at one time for our county. We are generally ranked 3rd-4th highest in the state of Missouri for child abuse & neglect . We are located in the Southwest Missouri region, ranked 1st in the state of Missouri in virtually all areas of child abuse & neglect, and we overwhelmingly lead our region in all areas. On Average, Greene County places 45 children into foster care each month (sources: Greene County Juvenile Office 2010 & 2011 Child Abuse/Neglect data, www.dss.mo.gov, MIssouri Children's Division Annual Report FY 2010).

Ambassadors for Children has served over 6,000 children since 1999 through an array of programs. The need for our services is growing!

Mission:
To enhance the quality of services and supports provided to abused and neglected children from our community

Sondra Uzzell, MSW, LCSW

Sondra has been the Agency Director for Ambassadors for Children since March 2008. She has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Social work from Missouri State University. Sondra is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a background in child & family case management and children's mental health diagnosis and treatment. Sondra has been working professionally with children and families since 2001.

Sondra has been married to her husband, Ryan, since May 2002. They have a 5 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. Sondra also has a chihuahua named Lily. Sondra is a member of Stonebridge Church in Nixa, where she also volunteers as Worship Leader in the Bridgekids children's service. Sondra enjoys watching movies, reading, singing, softball and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House once per week.

Sondra was recently honored by the Springfield Business Journal as a 2011 40 Under 40 honoree. She is also a past recipient of the Barbara L. Appleby Award for Excellence in Volunteerism from the Ronald McDonald House organization and has contributed approximately 1,500 volunteer hours through her undergraduate & graduate study and through the Ronald McDonald House.

Click here to Meet our Advisory Committee. All members are community volunteers and local professionals.

Sondra Uzzell, Agency Director

Phone: 417-862-3586 (ext. 236)
Addresss: 627 N. Glenstone
Springfield, MO 65802

• Help a foster child have new clothing--the first new clothing of their lives, for many. The Kid's Clothes Closet is a partnership with the Ronald McDonald House.
• Help fulfill needs of children & families who have been affected by abuse or neglect. We match you with a Caseworker and the Caseworker shares the needs. You decide what you can help with & get to build a supporting relationship with the Caseworker. You also get to hear stories about the children & families you served!
• Help us provide memorable experiences and necessary items for foster children such as sports registrations, eye glasses, contact lenses, school trips, summer camp fees, prom dresses, graduation expenses, class rings and much more!
• Tutor and mentor a child who has been affected by abuse or neglect.  Teaching experience is not required.
• Comfort children being placed into foster care & prevent them from carrying their belongings to a new foster home in a trash bag. You fill the duffel bags with hygiene and overnight items and we distribute them.
• Got something you are willing to give away? List anything from furniture to dishes on our online Web Exchange along with pictures!

Click here to learn more about all the programs!!