November 9, 2026
FLORISSANT, Mo. — Approximately 2,000 people attended JADASA’s community resource event Friday, November 6, at the James J. Eagan Community Center in Florissant, according to event organizer Dr. Cynthia Bennett. Residents gathered to apply for utility assistance and connect with organizations providing financial, health and social service resources.
Lines formed outside the building before the scheduled 10 a.m. start. The gathering was originally set to end at 3 p.m., but utility representatives continued processing bills and helping residents until about 5 p.m., two hours beyond the scheduled closing time, Bennett told VOTP News STL.
Watch VOTP News STL’s field report
VOTP News STL spoke with residents, JADASA organizers and participating service providers about the demand for assistance and resources available to local families.
Ameren and Spire expand application capacity
Bennett said Ameren and Spire each expanded the number of people they could accommodate from 75 to 100, an additional 25 applicants per company. Both providers stopped accepting new applications at 1:30 p.m., but the work of processing bills and assisting residents continued later in the day.
The expanded figures describe application capacity, not a confirmed count of approved awards or bills paid. Final totals for assistance awarded were not immediately available.
Residents describe the need for help
Among those seeking assistance was Tanika, a single mother who spoke candidly about the cost of household expenses.
“I need some bills paid. A single mother, work hard, and just need some help, and ain’t nothing wrong with getting help,” she told VOTP News STL.
Another resident said she arrived at 7 a.m. after dropping off her children. A woman who introduced herself as Shanay expressed the same determination to seek support.
“I ain’t never too good to get no help, baby,” Shanay said.
JADASA’s mission extends beyond utility bills
JADASA, short for Journey Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse, supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Bennett explained that the organization opens this annual event to the broader community because financial strain can affect households and families across the region.
“Domestic violence does not just affect the abused and the abuser in that household. It affects the community. It affects families,” Bennett said during an on-site interview.
Bennett said participating organizations were selected to provide resources rather than sell products. Alongside utility assistance, the event included access to financial services, health screenings and other community programs.
Keith Williams, a community support worker and job training manager with the Salvation Army Midtown Service and Treatment Center, described assistance with identification, birth certificates, taxes and connections to treatment and employment-related services.
“I want the community to know that JADASA is a household name that is synonymous with assisting not only women and children, but families,” Bennett said.
For more information about JADASA’s programs, visit jadasa.org.
Field reporting, interviews and video: VOTP News STL. Featured image: VOTP News STL video still from the November 6 event.
Now this is what giving back to the community looks like. With so many families struggling to keep up with the cost of living, this kind of assistance can make a huge difference. Taking some of that financial burden off people’s shoulders is truly a blessing. Much respect to everyone involved in making this happen.