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The most meaningful change in a town rarely starts on a stage—it starts at a table. We invited Pastor John McAfee into the Dog House to explore how simple, stubborn acts of service can transform lives in Sikeston: a hot lunch, a steady job, a safe place to sleep, a suit that fits, a ride that arrives on time. The conversation stretches from church life to city life, but the heartbeat never changes—dignity, purpose, and belonging for people too often pushed to the margins.
John opens up about taking the helm at the Community Sheltered Workshop and what “more than mulch” really means. Yes, they build pallets and sell mulch—but the mission is adults with disabilities getting paid for meaningful work, eating well, and heading home tired in a good way. We break down how funding flows from DESE, SB40 resources, and earned income, why transportation and supervision are growth bottlenecks, and how the workshop can scale thoughtfully to serve more people across Scott, Mississippi, and New Madrid counties.
We also dig into Day 366, a grassroots answer to a common failure point in recovery: the day after graduation. Housing, mentorship, life-skills support, and job stability give residents a fighting chance to keep their progress. It’s practical, local, and run with the same ethos that powered COVID food distribution, the clothing pipeline, and Light Up Sikeston: see a need, fill the gap. Along the way, John shares the unexpected, moving story behind his Citizen of the Year recognition—why it landed like an answered prayer and why titles matter less than tables.
If you care about community impact, disability employment, recovery housing, and local faith that shows up with sleeves rolled, you’ll feel at home here. Press play to hear how Sikeston’s loyalty, grit, and generosity come alive when we trade nickels-and-noses metrics for neighbors and names.
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