Help for Kids
Support for Your Children When You Need It Most
Every child deserves to feel valued, supported, and equipped for success. Whether your family is navigating foster care, needs help celebrating a birthday, or could use extra help with math and reading, we’re here to walk alongside you. We provide birthday celebrations, sports equipment, formal wear, educational support, and foster care support to children across Greene, Christian, and Taney counties.
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Call Us: 417-862-3586
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Hear from Our Neighbors
When K.W. came to Crosslines, she was a single mother caring for an infant while working to rebuild her life. After overcoming homelessness, addiction and significant personal challenges, she had committed herself to creating a different future for herself and her daughter. Determined to continue moving forward, K.W. enrolled in a rigorous high school completion program through MERS Goodwill. While balancing the demands of parenting, she successfully earned her diploma and was accepted into CoxHealth’s Phlebotomy Program.
After a serious injury and ongoing legal challenges disrupted their lives, a young couple came to Crosslines seeking food assistance. Through case management, they set goals and began addressing the many challenges they faced, including food insecurity, employment concerns, disability applications and mental health needs. Crosslines helped connect the couple with community resources, including SNAP benefits, utility assistance and other support services.
At 79 years old, Great-Grandma B. is raising two great-grandchildren, one in elementary school and one in high school. Like many kinship caregivers, she has faced the challenges of meeting the needs of growing children while living on a limited income. Over the years, she has turned to Crosslines for support through programs such as Wish I May, Holiday Assistance, Coats for Kids and resource referrals. Whether she needed help finding services, winter clothing or assistance celebrating special occasions, she knew where to turn for guidance and encouragement.
When a young family first came to Crosslines during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were facing housing instability, financial hardship, and the stress of caring for multiple family members with disabilities. After a dispute with a landlord left them struggling to catch up on rent, Crosslines helped connect them with grant funding that allowed them to settle their housing situation and move into a safer home.
When a mother came to Crosslines Food Pantry for the first time, she expected to leave with groceries. What she didn’t expect was to also find diapers for her baby, coats for her children, and even a birthday bag for her daughter, whose birthday was that very day. She left not only with food, but with tears of gratitude — a reminder that dignity and hope are just as essential as bread and milk.
Eligibility Requirements
Can I Get Help?
You must be:
Foster Support Grants
Services are available to children or youth living in, or originally from, Greene, Christian, and Taney counties. Grants help meet the practical needs of children entering and experiencing life in foster care by providing resources such as beds, car seats, and other essentials. Individual families can apply for grants.
Prom Closet
Formal wear services are available to any youth in Missouri who needs assistance obtaining prom attire.
Nana’s Closet – Children’s Clothing Boutique
Available to children in foster care from Greene, Christian, and Taney counties. Children can shop twice per year for new clothing, comfort items, and hygiene products.
Deverin’s Locker Fund (Sports Equipment)
Available to any child in the community who needs sports equipment. Individual families can apply for grants.
Birthday Celebrations
To qualify for birthday bag assistance, families must:
- Be a resident of Greene County
- Meet income requirements (see chart below)
- Provide Social Security verification for guardian and child(ren) being registered
- Provide a piece of mail less than 30 days old showing current address
- Child must be 12 years old or younger
See Our Services
Ways We Can Help
Foster Support Grants
Financial assistance and grants for children and youth in foster care. We help with bunk beds, car seats, graduation gowns, braces, extracurricular activities like swimming or trombone lessons, and other needs that help kids thrive.
Kids’ Clothing Boutique
Shop for brand-new clothing, blankets, and hygiene items twice per year. Kids in foster care from Greene, Christian, and Taney counties can choose items that reflect their personality and style in a welcoming, dignified environment.
Prom Closet
Free formal wear for any youth in Missouri who needs prom attire. Choose from dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories so you can enjoy your special night with confidence.
Deverin’s Locker Fund (Sports Equipment)
Grants for sports equipment and participation fees for any child in the community. Whether you need cleats, a baseball glove, or help with registration fees, we help kids stay active and involved.
Birthday Celebrations
Every child deserves to celebrate their birthday. Families who meet income guidelines can receive a birthday bag with decorations, gifts, and supplies to make their child’s day special. For children 12 and under in Greene County.
Diapers
Free diapers available at distribution sites across 30 counties. Visit once per month to receive 50 diapers per child at no cost.
Find the Answers You Need
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
We’re located at 3055 E Division St, Springfield, MO 65802. Park in front of the building when you visit. Call ahead to schedule an appointment for boutique shopping or to discuss foster care support needs.
Do I need to make an appointment?
Yes. For the Kids’ Clothing Boutique and Foster support grants requests, please call to schedule an appointment or use our online scheduling tool when available.
What if my child is in foster care but lives outside Greene, Christian, and Taney counties?
Foster care support services are specifically for children who are from or living in Greene, Christian, and Taney counties. If your child is from one of these counties but placed elsewhere, they may still qualify. Call us to discuss your situation.
Can I bring prom dresses or formal wear to donate?
Yes! We accept gently used and new prom dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories. Drop off donations at our donation door on the northeast side of the facility.
How does the birthday program work?
You’ll be able to shop in person for age-appropriate gifts, decorations, cake mix, and supplies to celebrate your child’s special day at home. If you can’t make it in, we’ll fill a birthday bag to the best of our ability.
What is Deverin's Locker Fund?
Deverin’s Locker Fund provides sports equipment and activity grants for any child in the community—not just those in foster care. If your child needs equipment to participate in sports or extracurricular activities, we can help.
Can kids who aren't in foster care use the boutique?
The Kids’ Clothing Boutique is specifically for children in foster care. However, we offer other services like the Prom Closet, Deverin’s Locker Fund, and birthday bags to all children in the community who meet eligibility requirements.
I'm a caseworker. Can I get help for my clients?
Caseworkers can submit foster care support requests on behalf of their clients by contacting our office directly. We work collaboratively with child welfare professionals to meet the needs of children in care.