Union County
Excel by Eight in Union County
The E8 coalition in Union County, led by the SHARE Foundation and United Way, identified four priority areas in alignment with their organizational goals and the Excel by Eight resource grid.
Priorities include child care availability, mental health, parent and family resources, and affordable housing. In 2023, the steering committee will approve goals, guide needs assessments, and review and evaluate strategies that are locally appropriate, feasible, and impactful for children ages 0-8 and their families.
Snapshot
Located on southern state border
Major industries include oil and gas and chemicals
Home to Murphy Arts District, an arts and entertainment district in downtown El Dorado
Largest county in Arkansas, in terms of square miles
Steering Committee
E8 Core Team
Karen Hicks, El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce
Amy Sturdivant, SHARE Foundation
Tyler Turner, United Way of Union County
Jill Weinischke, SHARE FoundationCommittee Members
Gloria Billings, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Service
Pam Blake, Families and Children Together (F.A.C.T.), Inc.
Becky Dixon, Smackover-Norphlet School District
Heidi Klappenbach, Family Connects
Kathy Love, Hannah Pregnancy Resource Center
Ellen Lowe, Junction City School District
Debbie McAdams, El Dorado School District
Kaitlyn Rigdon, Union County Chamber of Commerce
Tequila Smith, Families and Children Together (F.A.C.T.), Inc.
Kimberly Thomas, Strong-Huttig School District
Read more about E8 Communities
Jefferson County hosts Fall 2023 Learning Community
Representatives from each of Excel by Eight’s six communities came together in Pine Bluff for two days of relationship building, learning, and idea sharing at the Fall 2023 Learning Community. Thank you to the Jefferson County steering committee and the team at the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative for being such gracious hosts!
How an emphasis on early childhood helped usher in a $25 million investment for the city of Batesville
During an August 2023 special election, residents of Batesville voted overwhelmingly in favor of four ballot issues that marked a turning point for the city. These issues secured a $25 million investment for the expansion and improvement of the city’s parks and recreation facilities as well as an additional $110 million to go toward the construction of a new water treatment system. Opportunities to reshape a city’s infrastructure and enrich its social and recreational offerings without a tax increase seldom arise. But when they do, seizing these moments requires more than a stroke of luck; it demands collaboration, a willingness to learn, and data-informed planning.
Horatio School District, public libraries partnering to provide free summer meals to children in southwest Arkansas
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