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Missouri Rehabilitation Association, Eastern Chapter: Unlock New Opportunities at Our Upcoming Networking Event with 15 Leading Agencies
- Missouri Rehabilitation Association Eastern Chapter
- Jan 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 15
Networking is one of the most effective ways to grow your professional circle, discover new opportunities, and gain insights from industry leaders. Our upcoming free event brings together multiple prominent agencies under one roof, offering a unique chance to connect, learn, and collaborate. Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge, find new partners, or explore career options, this event is designed to help you unlock new possibilities.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 12:30pm-2:30pm
Location: RISE Services, 11828 Lackland Rd, St Louis, MO 63146
Purpose: To facilitate meaningful connections between professionals and leading agencies, fostering collaboration and growth.
Event Schedule
12pm: Community Partner set-up
12:30pm-1pm: MRA Eastern Chapter Presentation
Learn about MRA Eastern Chapter
1:00pm-2:00pm: Networking
Community Partner Showcase
2:pm-2:30pm: MRA Eastern Chapter Presentation
Learn about MRA Eastern Chapter
Special thanks goes to RISE Services for hosting our event!
This event is open to professionals from the rehabilitation, disability employment, and human resources industries who want to build strong relationships, exchange ideas, and explore new ventures. Light refreshments will be served, and there will be opportunities for informal discussions.
Register for the event.
Meet the Agencies Attending
Learn a little about each of the agencies attending!
1 Missouri Rehabilitation Association eastern chapter
The Missouri Rehabilitation Association Eastern Chapter champions an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation, harnessing the expertise of diverse professionals to enhance opportunities and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Through education and community events like their annual awards banquet, podcast, and Barbara Parker Scholarship Fund, they foster public understanding and support for the social and economic benefits of inclusive rehabilitation services in the St. Louis region.
2 University of Missouri-Kansas City's Institute for Human Development
Mission: We envision a world where all people live, work and play in their chosen communities throughout their life course.
University of Missouri-Kansas City's Institute for Human Development works to promote self-determined lives for people with disabilities. As an institute within an urban research university, we work to promote access to opportunities and resources for unserved and underserved populations – especially people with developmental disabilities. We accomplish this by building partnerships that lead to effective social change through research, training, community development and information sharing.
3 Delta Center Live Independently
Delta Center supports people with disabilities to be as independent as possible in their community. We do this through our direct services or connecting them to other available resources.
4 St. Louis ARC
St. Louis Arc's mission is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to lead better lives by providing a lifetime of high-quality services, family support, and advocacy. Our core values of respect, collaboration, and empowerment drive everything we do.
5 JewelRide
JewelRide provides essential rehabilitation support through a versatile fleet ranging from comfortable sedans to high-top wheelchair-accessible vans, ensuring patients of all mobility levels can reach their recovery milestones safely. Our commitment to the continuum of care is backed by professional drivers trained in First Aid and CPR, delivering the reliable medical oversight necessary to bridge the gap between clinical treatment and home recovery.
6 Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation
Missouri VR changes lives by helping clients achieve their employment goals. MVR empowers individuals with disabilities to make informed choices, remove barriers, build careers, and live independently in the community.
7 Kids Rock Cancer
Kids Rock Cancer (KRC) is an innovative program, using the proven healing power of music therapy, to help children cope with the emotional challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. This type of therapy helps children combat feelings of anxiety, depression, uncertainty, and helplessness. The program provides: 1) a vehicle for self-expression, self-esteem and accomplishment, 2) a distraction from the physical and emotional pain, and 3) emotional support for children with cancer.
8 RISE
RISE is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through personalized support services. RISE focuses on employment supports, community inclusion, and independent living that help people thrive in the communities they choose.
9 MERS Goodwill
MERS Goodwill’s mission is “Changing Lives Through the Power of Work!”. While we are well known for our retail stores, we also provide assistance to individuals with barriers to employment including career counseling, education, skills training, and employment services.
10 UCP Heartland
At UCP Heartland we provide children and adults living with differing abilities the extraordinary care and support they need to thrive in school, at home, at work and in their community.
11 ALS United
Our mission at ALS United Missouri is to unite the ALS community in our collaborative approach to foster bold research initiatives, advance national and state advocacy efforts, and provide comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. The state of Missouri and its resilient ALS community are thrilled to officially join forces with ALS United, ushering in a new era of connection, care, and collective strength.
12 University of Missouri Pre-Employment Transition Services
Pre-ETS specialists offer no-cost pre-employment transition services to Missouri high school students with disabilities, ages 14-21. Pre-ETS are designed to have a positive impact for students with disabilities at an earlier age, leading to better coordination, enhanced communication, and stronger collaboration through the high school transition process, and resulting in increased successful post-school outcomes.
13 BCI Packaging
BCI Packaging is a for-purpose, non-profit contract packaging company that offers purposeful work for adults with disabilities. We serve local and global companies with purpose-driven co-packaging and co-manufacturing services that are second to none.
14 Mercy Supported Employment Model
Mercy’s Supported Employment Model is an inclusive, mission-driven program that integrates individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD/DD) into meaningful roles across more than 18 departments. The model combines pre-employment training, on-the-job coaching, and supported volunteer opportunities to build skills and confidence. It leverages in-house employment specialists, community partnerships, and public-private funding to create sustainable career pathways. Since its inception, the program has supported over 100 caregivers and 60 volunteers annually, demonstrating measurable impact in retention, workforce inclusion, and alignment with Mercy’s values of dignity and hospitality.
15 Brain Injury Foundation of St. Louis
Our mission is to provide innovative community based solutions to meet the specific social and vocational needs of individuals with brain injuries. BIFSTL is based on the vision and philosophy of "jobs first” and “community involvement” with the long-term goal of using the Clubhouse Model to support individuals with brain injury.
16 UMSL OIPE
The UMSL Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (OIPE) has four college programs for the neurodiverse: Succeed, Succeed Plus, Link Certificate, and Link Degree. Each program is designed for students to gain college experience, explore independent living, learn vocational pathways, and build career readiness with focuses on self-determination and navigating today's rich social climate.
17 Community Living Inc.
We provide individualized opportunities for people with disabilities to live their best lives. Community Living provides a lifetime of opportunities and resources across St. Charles County. Community Living provides individualized opportunities for people with disabilities to live their best lives.
Why Attend and Network?
Building professional relationships through engagement in professional organizations is more than exchanging business cards. It’s about creating connections that can lead to new ideas, partnerships, and career growth. Here’s why you should attend:
Expand Your Network: Meet professionals and leaders from across St. Louis.
Discover Opportunities: Learn about the Missouri Rehabilitation Association eastern chapter.
Gain Knowledge: Hear firsthand about industry trends.
Build Support: Find mentors, partners, or contacts who can help you advance.
Enhance Visibility: Showcase your skills and projects to a wider audience.
Networking events like this one create a space where conversations turn into collaborations. You never know which connection will open the door to your next big opportunity.
Tips to Make the Most of the Event
Prepare Your Introduction: Have a clear, concise way to describe who you are and what you do.
Research Agencies: Review the list above and identify which agencies align with your goals.
Bring Business Cards: Make it easy for people to remember and contact you.
Ask Questions: Show genuine interest in others’ work to build meaningful connections.
Follow Up: After the event, reach out to new contacts to keep the conversation going.
This free networking event is a chance to connect with 15 leading agencies that can support your professional journey. Mark your calendar for February 19 and join us at RISE Services, 11828 Lackland Rd, St Louis, MO 63146. Take the step to unlock new opportunities and build relationships that matter.