OCC director speaks to HSV Rotary
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Rotary Club welcomed Mark Howard, executive director of the Ouachita Children’s Center in Hot Springs, at its Nov. 8 meeting.
Howard described the work of OCC, a private nonprofit agency, in providing emergency shelter for children younger than 18. OCC also offers life skills classes that can help young people avoid the “Pipeline to Prison.” Parents can also participate in the programs, which are open to the public.
Howard praised the OCC staff of 17 people, especially the street outreach workers who try to locate and assist homeless children. “Some of those kids are not very trusting of adults,” he said, adding, “I am always amazed at our staff’s tenacity to keep kids safe.”
OCC has opened a domestic violence shelter for Garland, Hot Spring and Clark counties Even as they expand their programs to help meet the need, OCC’s federal funding is being reduced. He said they apply for grants which require matching funds, with donations from the public totaling about 8 percent of operating costs, a news release said.
“It’s been a challenging year,” he said. “The work is challenging yet it’s so rewarding to see kids make a success of their lives, to watch them turn their life around.”
Visit http://www.occnet. org for more information about OCC.