Joplin Treatment Facility and Girls Home Destroyed in Tornado's Path

Although the Preferred Family Healthcare (PFH) Florissant facility recently cut its grand opening ribbon to open its doors, its sister facility in Joplin, MO is struggling to get back on its feet after a tornado tore through the area earlier this week.

The nonprofit organization has more than 25 facilities in the state of Missouri that focus on treating substance abuse as well as providing support services to families and youth.

An EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the tornado that struck the southwest Missouri town destroyed the organization’s treatment center as well as the girl group home on Sunday. 

On Wednesday, senior vice president of eastern and central programming Jim Wallis spoke to Florissant Patch during his travel back from Joplin.

“It seems amazing,” Wallis said of the damage in Joplin. “We’ve got the whole agency who have dropped everything to take care of our brothers and sisters in Joplin.”

Wallis said that everyone has been accounted for and alive in the area, but many have lost everything.

While the death toll has risen to 125 deaths several remain unaccounted for and countless residents are displaced, PFH has decided to take it one step at a time in the relief and recovery effort. 

“The first and foremost effort is to take care of our clients and families and staff and their families,” Wallis said. “As we take care of ourselves and clients, we’ll move toward the community.”

Upon hearing of PFH’s efforts, president sent an email to chamber members imploring them to make individual contributions and help if they can.

“I just wanted our members to know,” Marty said. “We feel a connection with Preferred Family.” 

Marty said in looking toward future efforts, the chamber will continue to serve as a tool to get information out to the community and chamber members.

The nonprofit did receive positive news despite the damage. 

In what Wallis considers the “bright spot” of the extensive damage, a new facility that’s been going up on the other side of Joplin still has its structure and has only lost a few shingles.

The scheduled opening for the facility is this July, and it looks to remain on time despite the damage.

“I think we’re going to be OK,” Wallis said. “We may have to limp a little until July, though.”

The original plan for the facility was to house all of the organization’s offerings under one roof, which will fully come to fruition in July with two facilities destroyed by the storm.

Although PFH has its mind focused on getting their clients and staff settled, their hearts and minds do continue to turn toward the town’s relief and recovery efforts.

“I’m so impressed with the spirit and life of Joplin,” Wallis said. “I have no doubt that they’ll come back stronger than before.”

Wallis said that a fundraiser for the staff and clients in Joplin was in the process of being started, and following that, PFH would like at a fundraiser for the community.

For those looking to make a donation to the relief effort, visit the Missouri Department of Public Safety. 

For those looking for unaccounted residents, check out a full list here, or visit the Red Cross’s safe and well site for those who have been found.