Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

Missouri Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger traveled to Historic Northeast for a tour of Healing House KC facilities on Wednesday, June 17, with a special presentation for founder and CEO Bobbi Jo Reed.

Earlier this year, Reed, along with nine other Missourians, was announced as a recipient of the 2026 Senior Service Award. This award recognizes Missouri residents age 60 and older for service to their community through volunteerism, program development and support.

Reed founded Healing House KC— a faith-based substance abuse recovery program— in Historic Northeast with one home for women that has expanded to 17 homes and three apartments, along with the Family Enrichment Center at 4600 St. John Ave., to provide complete wrap-around services for program participants and their families.

Healing House’s Chief Development Officer, Karl Ploeger, nominated Reed for this award last March and was announced as a recipient in April. When Reed was unable to attend the presentation at the state capitol on April 13, the decision was made to bring the award to Reed during a visit to Kansas City.

During a brief presentation at Healing House’s Recovery Community Center (112 N. Elmwood Ave.), Wasinger explained his role as an official advocate, by state law, for seniors residing in the state of Missouri and one thing his office does is recognize seniors “that do great things”.

The 2026 Senior Service Award Selection Committee included Senator Jamie Burger, Senator Jill Carter, Representative Raychel Proudie, and Katie Ashcroft, who reviewed this year’s nominations and selected ten recipients.

Lt. Governor Wasinger and his wife, Colleen, assisted and confirmed the recipients.

“It’s a very difficult process winnowing out who’s going to receive these awards,” stated Wasinger. “But Bobbi Jo, your application stood out, you have done remarkable things.”

Wasinger then asked the audience to close their eyes and imagine they were at the state capitol building in Jefferson City, and in the rotunda with all the murals, as he read the proclamation  outlining Reed’s accomplishments before officially concluding, ”Therefore, I, David Wasinger, Lt. Governor of Missouri, do hereby congratulate Bobbi Jo Reed as the recipient of the 2026 Senior Service Award on April 13, 2026 in the Missouri State Capitol, for her service and dedication to the Kansas City community and her fellow Missourians.”

Upon receiving this proclamation, Reed expressed her thanks and stated that while she was being recognized for her work, she didn’t feel that it was actually work, as she loves what she does and appreciated that Lt. Governor Wasinger was visiting.

“Thanks for coming to my house, that’s cool,” said Reed. “We’re so proud of this place…I’m so glad when people come to visit and we can share what God is doing in this community. I’m so grateful to God, that he planted my feet in this community. I love Northeast, I love our state and our city; I never imagined I could have a life so full of love.”

In a press release, Ploeger explained the reasons he nominated Reed for this award.

“Bobbi Jo Reed represents the very best of Missouri,” said Ploeger. “For more than twenty years, she has dedicated her life to serving people who often feel forgotten by society. Her unwavering belief that every person deserves hope, dignity, and a second chance has transformed thousands of lives. This recognition is richly deserved and reflects the profound impact she has made across Missouri.” 

Lt. Governor Wasinger and Colleen then toured the Healing House KC facilities before returning to Jefferson City.

The Missouri Senior Service Awards is an annual recognition program. The nomination form may be found online at https://ltgov.mo.gov/seniors/. Nominations for the next round of awards will open in March 2027.

Healing House KC founder and CEO, Bobbi Jo Reed, welcomed Missouri Lt. Governor David Wasinger on Wednesday, June 17 and received the 2026 Senior Service Award during a brief ceremony.

Photo by Dorri Partain