Three unique Springfield area programs were featured in the 2004 AAC application. Each program selected, met several requirements: each had to have started within the last three years; each are local programs addressing local problems; and one program must address the needs of children. The featured programs are:

Rocking Horse Center

Springfield faces the challenge of keeping her children healthy, happy, and strong. The 2000 census indicates nearly 40% of the persons living in poverty in Springfield are children. Thirteen-percent of those children are under five years of age. Given these stark statistics, the Springfield Community has banded together to insure that every family in Springfield can receive state of the art health treatment - regardless of ones ability to pay.

During a rally held on the Springfield City Plaza, Mayor Warren Copeland and Dr. James Duffee, a local pediatrician, addressed concerns about childhood poverty. Dr. Duffee presented the dream of a pediatric clinic that would serve children regardless of income. In 1999, the Rocking Horse Center was developed in a collaboration of its founding physician, representatives of the city's two hospitals, city leaders, churches, and community agencies.

RHC bases its practice on anticipatory guidance. By educating parents on the importance of immunizations, regular check-ups, and nutrition, RHC takes advantage of opportunities to prevent childhood health problems.

Far from being a run of the mill medical clinic, RHC forfeits its profit potential in order to provide state-of-the-art health care to Springfield's children. The 2004 annual budget projects that the center will see a $1.3 million expenditure over revenue deficit. Community members come together to raise funds on an annual basis in an effort to insure that the center will remain open year after year.

Since January 2004, the Rocking Horse Center doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and practitioners have logged over 18,000 visits. Of these visits, 5,500 children have been served. Childhood poverty and under-insured families are tough challenges for the citizens of Springfield; however, we are not deterred. Each year the center gets stronger and serves more families. We refuse to give up on our children's' health - mental, physical, and emotional. Healthier children build healthy communities - this is what Springfield, as a community believes!

Clark County Literacy Coalition

Springfield has experienced a recent surge of immigrants, many originating from Central and South America and Eastern Europe. Often they arrive in the area with extremely limited knowledge of English and little understanding of basic local culture. In addition, educational attainment for Springfield area residents is significantly lower than the state and national averages, despite the readily accessible universities and community colleges in a rather small radius.

It is estimated that over 20,000 adults in Springfield and Clark County have trouble reading text as simple as a road sign or a food label. This staggering statistic results in higher dependency on welfare, which hurts the community economically through loss of professional labor capital. Another major problem resulting from adult illiteracy is the affect that it has on children. Children whose parents cannot read are much more likely to lack the desire to achieve higher levels of education. This could have disastrous effects on the future economy and progress of Springfield.

Illiteracy is an obvious problem with potentially dangerous ramifications if left unaddressed. Approximately 20% of the area's adults need help improving their literacy skills. The Clark County Literacy Coalition was initially established to provide adult literacy education through one-on-one tutoring. Their vision is for every adult in Clark County to be functionally literate and the Coalition was founded on this principle.

For several years after it was founded, the Coalition continued to simply provide volunteer tutoring services for desirous adults. However, in recent years, the Clark County Literacy Coalition has had an even greater impact than previously in the Springfield area. New programs have been developed to address new needs of the community. One such need, added in 2001, was ESOL classes which help promote literacy in the growing minority and immigrant population in Springfield. ESOL provides opportunities for those new to the U.S., or those who are not fluent in English to gain understanding of the language and culture of our country. They are involved in conversation classes where they learn basic life skills and learn about living in the American culture.

The Family Teaching and Learning Center (Family TLC) has also only been operating for a few years. This service is available at the Warder Literacy Center for parents with children enrolled in a CCLC program. One night a week, parents spend time working on life and parenting skills, as well as literacy, while their children get help with their homework, reading or other enjoyable educational activities.

Other programs include PICK-A-Pack (Parents Increasing Children's Knowledge), GED preparation and Adult Basic Literacy Education. Computer training is another recent addition to the Coalition. Each aspect of the Coalition is evaluated regularly to ensure that every program is addressing current community needs.

Neighborhood Housing Partnership of Greater Springfield

Approximately two years old, Neighborhood Housing Partnership (NHP) of Greater Springfield, Inc. was created to strengthen neighborhoods - primarily by increasing homeownership opportunities and sustaining those investments by providing affordable home repair programs. NHP understands that homeowners may need help with repairs and improvements and that well maintained homes are vital for healthy neighborhoods. As such, NHP offers low-interest loan and incentive programs to assist homeowners with improvements. A special product developed for the target area is a matching dollar for dollar incentive for exterior improvements. Over 100 properties have been improved in two years.

NHP also offers comprehensive homebuyer education and credit counseling to help prospective homebuyers learn about the home buying process and avoid many of the common pitfalls. NHP currently has a ratio of approximately one homebuyer for every three receiving counseling services.

NHP has a broad - based level of support for its community development efforts. These programs are sustained through win-win partnerships with government, private foundations, lenders, Board of Realtors, and corporate support. Lenders benefit from a growing market of homebuyers, and invest with confidence that NHP borrowers will pay back their loans - on time and in full. Realtors and insurance companies are provided with a new source of clients. Home repair and improvement businesses have a reliable source for ongoing business. Government Agencies save time and resources, as NHP administers community development programs and services.