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, Lead Facilitator, El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce
Roy Bullock, El Dorado City Council
Amy Sturdivant, SHARE Foundation/South Arkansas Regional Hospital Foundation
Tyler Turner, United Way of Union County
Jill Weinischke, SHARE FoundationCommittee Members
Kaila Emery, The CALLBrittany Furhmann, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
Sheila Holland, El Dorado School District
David Lee, Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado
Lorenzo Loston, Victory Childcare Center
Kristi Lowery, Hope LandingBill Luther, El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce
Debbie McAdams, El Dorado School DistrictAngela Means, SHARE Foundation
Arnitera Meeks, Women Moving Forward
Kim Newman, El Dorado School District
Jennifer Schroeder, South Arkansas College
Jackie Stratton, Union County 100 Families
Vikki Ward, CASA for ChildrenMichelle Wayne, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services
Jennifer Wylie, The Eagle Foundation
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