About the Coalition
In late 2021, we conducted research to help guide our Community Investment Committee as they identified funding needs for our 2022-2025 funding cycle. Among employers, employees, and the many people served by our network, transportation was identified as a barrier to all three of United Way’s focus areas – education, health, and income stability. Seeing an opportunity to address a major need in Southeast Missouri, United Way leaders sought out community leaders and organizations to form a Transportation Coalition.
The Transportation Coalition is focusing first on needs in Cape Girardeau County where the Cape Girardeau Transit Authority (CTA) currently provides public transportation. Later, successful solutions will be explored for viability with leaders in other counties in the United Way service area.
If you wish to join the coalition and serve those who depend on public transportation or if you have experience in this industry, please contact our Executive Director, Elizabeth Shelton.

Our Plan

Research Needs
Though transportation was identified as a barrier to success in our community, we still have much to learn about how our community uses transportation, what causes transportation to be a challenge, and how our Coalition can work collectively to make improvements. Planned research includes community conversations, quantitative and qualitative surveys, and feasibility studies.
Explore Solutions
As we gather thoughts and data from our community, the Coalition will explore various solutions to the challenges surrounding transportation. Partnering with many organizations gives us the unique opportunity to share information and ideas from across the region. The global United Way Worldwide network provides access to successful solutions found in other communities.
Implement Change
We are dedicated to creating real and lasting change that leads to positive outcomes here in Southeast Missouri. This will not be a process with quick solutions. Even after ideas are identified, funding must be found to bring them to fruition. This kind of change happens over time and only with the support of our community.
Coalition Members
Elizabeth Shelton
Mark Stone
Mandi Combs
United Way of Southeast Missouri Board of Directors, Bank of Missouri
Denise Wimp
First Call For Help
Calvin Garner
Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri/CTA Board member
Stacy Kinder
Mayor, City of Cape Girardeau
Trevar Pulley
Assisstant City Manager, City of Cape Girardeau
Jake Garrard
Civil Engineer, City of Cape Girardeau
Alex McElroy
Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization/City of Cape Girardeau
Marla Mills
Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEMPO), KLG Engineering
Tracy Morrow
Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri
Lexi Spurgeon
Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri
Kelley Watson
Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority (CTA)
Susan Redford
Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority (CTA)
Tom Mogelnicki
Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority (CTA)
Scott Ringwald
CTA Board of Directors
Ginny Smith
Southeast Missouri Transportation Service (SMTS)
Judy Cantoni
Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Nicole Hahn
East Missouri Action Agency
Chris Massey
East Missouri Action Agency
Jessica Hill
Safe House of Southeast Missouri
Emily McDonald
Regional Family Crisis Center
Nancy Gade
Aging Matters
Marsha Stubbs
Aging Matters
Laura Miller
Missouri Department of Social Services
Kevin Gruenwald
Juvenile Office, State of Missouri 32nd Judicial District
Kathryn West
Cape Girardeau Adult Education & Literacy
Janet Hitt
Jackson Senior Center
Beth Salyer
Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce
Kelsie Turner
Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce
Jennifer Zoellner
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, State of Missouri
Ciera Schlie
United Way of Southeast Missouri