College of the Ozarks will host the 2022 S. Truett Cathy Poverty Summit on Friday, March 11.

Nationally known speakers will provide inspiration and the backdrop for area educators, business leaders, community members, and students to learn and share concerns and experiences. The event is free, but registration is required. The event will be held in the Royal Oak Forum in the Keeter Center.

“Synergy and movement are beginning to occur in Ozark Mountain Country, and since we live in the ‘Show Me’ state, we are excited to share an update on activity since the last Poverty Summit held just weeks before the pandemic brought things to a screeching halt for all of us. Progress has begun, bringing better days ahead for our community, especially our neighbors in need,” said Sue Head, the vice president for cultural affairs and dean of character education at College of the Ozarks, host of the S. Truett Cathy Poverty Summit.

A progress report of “A Roadmap for Action on Poverty,” presented at the 2020 Poverty Summit, will be given. Since the last meeting, a non-profit or “backbone” organization has been established called Ozark Mountain Country Cares. Edd Akers serves as executive director and is guiding the efforts of community members, who serve as work group “champions” focused on the five areas of concern in our region: 

• Sustainable Employment/Jobs
• Affordable Housing
• Life Skills and Training
• Reliable Transportation
• Mobilizing a Caring Community

The work group champions lead groups of passionate residents who want to help address these issues. 

Also, during the morning, Mike Mitchell, a representative from the organization Unite Us will share an effective collaboration and communication tool used around the state and the country that fosters collaboration among non-profits that is being adopted in this region. 

Finally, John Griffin, a vice president at John Maxwell Enterprise, will be speaking on Transformation Ozarks, an exciting initiative in collaboration with many non-profits in the area, including Ozark Mountain Country Cares. During the Poverty Summit, an announcement will be made about an exciting first-time event in the Ozarks later this spring. 

To register for the conference, go to www.cofo.edu/poverty. 

For additional information, contact Public Relations Director Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.