Who We Are
Community Together 417 is a small, grassroots group in Springfield, Missouri.
Our mission is to listen to the community, to what their needs are. To share and create groups, events and actions that are focused on saving our democracy, our rights, our liberty and our pursuit of happiness.
We're a team of passionate community members that have joined together to create information for the SWMO area. We officially started on April 21, 2025. We have sent thousands of texts and emails to our local community members. We have helped organized both small and large events. We believe that LOVE wins over EVIL and that if the community can communicate, collaborate and cooperate - We are stronger together.
In the beginning when I first found this quote, it was a whisper. After No Kings in June it became louder. After No Kings in October, it was louder. And after No Kings on March 28, 2026 it became a scream.
“While one person can absolutely initiate change groups often prove more effective for driving and sustaining that change, due to the power of collective action, diverse perspectives and shared support.”
How we got here
The Beginning….
On November 6, 2024, I was one of the people that woke with a bad feeling around 4 am. When I turned on the news, I knew exactly what was wrong. Donald J Trump was announced at the next President of the United States of America. I knew we were in a world of hurt.
You see, before November 5th I went over Project 2025 and I listened to the great Maya Angelou that said, "When people show you who they are, believe them". He had shown me who he was, and I believed it. He was the worst thing that could happen to this country, our state, our city, our community, my friends and my family… yes, I felt it deep inside.
I held out hope that SOMETHING would be done to prevent this man from becoming the President, but January 20th came and went, things went on just as there was nothing wrong. My feelings ranged from sadness, to depression, to anger, to fear, to confusion, to outrage, to hope and then back around again. Cycling, waiting and hoping that this would stop before anything bad could happen.
In February the google search started “Protests in Springfield Missouri”. Time and time again it would come up with NOTHING. And then my amazing husband found a Non-Profit Coalition Meeting being on February 22nd hosted by the Greene County Democrats. There were about 100 people and we were in a place that we felt comfortable with like-minded people. Then IT HAPPENED - because you see there was a woman that stood up and was brave enough to say, with quite a bit of passion, EVERYTHING we were already feeling!
The following day, I met a woman talking about with papers that said “Stop Project 2025”. At another table I heard about “Indivisible.org” for the first time, writing it all down in a notebook to look up later and went home. Back to the news, back to the stress of what was playing out in Washington DC and back to searching. But this time there was a different result!
On March 1, 2025 I attended my first protest. It was for the LGBTQIA+ community and there was NO WAY I was missing THAT. So, wearing one of my rainbow hat’s – those that know, know – we loaded the walker into the car, and participated.
Talking to others at that event we learned of a protest being held a few days later at our local Courthouse. At that event we met more people, exchanging information and were invited to join some of the group at a nearby coffee shop. Walking into that room, I met people that became a part of my TRIBE and are still with me today, by my side, through thick and thin and we are stronger because of it!
With my binder in hand, filling with event flyers and host groups, I offered to let people take a photo of my messy pages. I realized in that moment that we weren’t the only ones having a hard time finding each other. On March 4th the idea ofCOMMUNITY TOGETHER 417 came to life with one simple question, “Could you text me pictures of the things that you find?”
On Friday, March 7th we had our first gathering of like-minded people and the text chain officially began! No website, no social media, no logo - just a simple individual text of my handwritten events and group information that I was gathering. The purpose was to find out who was doing what and when and share both the host group and event information with others.
Just over one month later we had our first gathering of groups, community members and a very special guest speaker - Jess Piper. And officially on April 21, 2025 Community Together 417 came to life!
1 year later…
Our text chain is still active with hundreds of participants
We built this website as a resource for the entire community!
We communicate via text or on signal, staying off Facebook and other social media platforms.
We have helped organize or participated in over 100 events
We were invited to Jefferson City and had the great opportunity to speak inside the rotunda!
We have had growing pains, but we have always come out stronger from them.
We have collaborated with almost every group in the area.
And most importantly the COMMUNITY has been able to use this resource exactly as we intended it to be!
What we do
Events, Protests & Meetings & Virtual Trainings & Meetings
WHAT WE DO: We gather information about events and actions from multiple sources. We share this information in an easy to find, simple format. Host groups may or may not be listed on the group page but clickable links will be added if they are available.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE: These events and actions that are focused on saving our democracy, our rights, our liberty and our pursuit of happiness. Events listed are from groups from many places both locally and nationally.
WHERE ARE THE IN PERSON EVENTS: Most in person events are in Springfield MO and the surrounding area, some are in Jefferson City at the State Capital but we will also include virtual trainings and meetings that could be helpful to the community members.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL EVENTS: Virtual events are online. Most need to be pre-registered. Live links will be on the Virtual Trainings & Meeting events page. Click on the link to register. MOST will follow up with an email with a recording of the event, this way you can still watch it or even rewatch it on your own time.
Group Information
WHAT GROUPS ARE THESE: These are SOME of the groups, in and around the Springfield Missouri area, with similar missions to save our democracy, protect our rights, elect progressive leaders and defeat the current administration’s agenda that is hurting, or has the potential to hurt, ourselves, our families, our community and our country.
ARE THESE GROUPS NON-PROFITS: Some of them are registered 501c3, 501c4 but many are grassroots organizations that have been formed by community members.
CAN A GROUP BE ADDED: There are MANY groups in the area and all are welcome make the request to add their group to the site. Please contact us at communitytogether417@gmail.com with your information. Once we respond and approve your group we will get you added to the site.
Actions & Petitions
ACTIONS: Things that you can from the convenience from your home
PETITIONS: There are many petitions that can be signed. You must be a registered voter. Each petition has it’s own focus and deadlines.
Immigration Safety Groups, Information & Printables
WHAT GROUPS ARE THESE: Locally there are groups focused on immigration. Some of them are registered 501c3, 501c4 but many are grassroots organizations that have been formed by community members.
RESORCES: Safety Information & de-escalation tips
PRINTABLES: Please feel free to print and distribute any of the files on this page to share with people you know.
Rest in Power
WHO ARE ON THESE LISTS: Fellow community members who have been killed by federal agents or who have died while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since this current administration has been in charge on January 7, 2025.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT: This is the list we KNOW OF, there are MANY adults & children that are missing and we have no information about them.
WHO ARE IN DETENTION? There are THOUSANDS of adults and children existing in “detention centers” that have been called concentration camps by people that have been able to inspect facilities. More than 3,800 children under age 18 were booked into ICE family detention centers between January and October 2025. As of mid-January the primary location, Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, is housing around 500 children and 450 parents.