DEXTER — A new 9,000-square-foot living space will be available to those served by Stoddard County Children’s Home, thanks to the memorial donation of an area resident.
Ground was broken this week on the new Harty House in Dexter. The Harty House was made possible by a bequest from the Norman B. Harty trust and a land donation by the Regional Healthcare Foundation.
According to a news release from Assistant Program Director Renee Trout, the new facility will feature 9,000 square feet of living space and provide safety, security and technology upgrades. The facility was designed by Dille Pollard Architects and Smith & Boucher Engineers and will be built by Brown Construction Company.
“...On behalf of the Stoddard County Children’s Home Board of Directors, staff, and most especially the children, we would like to welcome you here today as we break ground for our new residential facility,” Trout said.
Trout thanked the many partners in this project.
“First and foremost, the Norman B. Harty Trust, whose vision and foresight is the foundation of what we are beginning here today,” she said. “Also, thank you to the Regional Healthcare Foundation and its board of directors for the donation of this land and their promise to help build healthy communities in our area.
“Thank you also goes to our project partners, Dille Pollard Architects, Smith & Boucher Engineers, and Brown Construction Company, whose skill and expertise will bring this house to life.”
The regional Healthcare Foundation released a statement regarding the project which said:
“The mission of the Dexter Community Regional Healthcare Foundation is to build healthy communities through programs and services we operate, designed to increase the overall health and wellness of our surrounding communities. We could think of no better way to act out our mission statement than donating ground for the building and operation of the new Harty House, children’s residential facility operated by the Stoddard County Children’s Home.”
Through the operation of the foundation’s Mother-to-Mother mentor program, the group has been an active participant in young children’s lives, and by donating this ground, officials saw a different avenue of participation to aid in other children’s lives.
“... To you, the citizens of Stoddard County, we offer our grateful appreciation for the continued support that will allow us to build this safe haven for the abused and neglected children in our county,” Trout said. “Thank you for joining with us to provide a secure and loving environment for the children who need us most. We come from communities large and small: Advance, Bell City, Bernie, Bloomfield, Dexter, Essex, and Puxico, and, working together, we will make the Harty House a home.”
Following Trout’s address members of the Stoddard County Children’s Home Board and county officials donned hard hats and turned the first scoops of dirt with gold shovels.
Trout recognized the current members of the Stoddard County Children’s Home Board: Kelly Fields-Wilburn, Joy Hudgens, Tonya Keena, Jackie Mayberry, Lauren Mayer, Paula Miles, Josh Miller, Michele Owens, Randy Russell, Allie Scherer, Ryan Slinkard, Zenita Smith and Jim Tweedy.
She also recognized the advisory board comprised of Judge Rob Mayer, Judge Joe Satterfield, Chief Juvenile Officer Tonya Causey, and Children’s Division Circuit Manager Kim Bolin, who oversee operations and ensure that the children in Stoddard County receive the best protection and care.