Tara Benson
Associate Director PSU – Director Student Engagement
When Tara moved to Springfield in 2007, she knew she wanted to connect with others in a way that could make a big impact in her new community. She found that avenue through the Junior League of Springfield (JLS). On average, JLS members donate over 20,000 volunteer hours annually to Springfield organizations and projects. Tara has specifically served the Doula Foundation, Ozarks Food Harvest and Isabel’s House’s Ozarks Parent Café in partnership with CPO. Through JLS, Tara is preparing to assist their new Homeless Youth Project initiative. With 891 (3.8%) homeless SPS students, she will be helping shed further light on this troubling issue and find ways we can all take action, large or small, to help our homeless youth.
In addition to her 5 years with the Junior League and serving as Youth Group Leader at her church, Tara also volunteers on the phones with Ozarks Public Television telethons and during its program, Sense of Community. For all her contributions, we honor Tara Benson as February’s Staff Public Affairs Spotlight.