Success Stories

• Targeting Our People’s Priorities With Service (Topps), Inc.

Outline of Need:

In our communities, there is a need for comprehensive after-school programs for low-to-moderate income youth.

The Business:

Ms. Annette Dove is the Founder and Executive Director of Targeting Our People’s Priorities With Service (TOPPS), Incorporated.  In 2002, TOPPS was incorporated and implemented programs for the west side of Pine Bluff.  TOPPS, Incorporated now offers a full range of services to youth of all ages including education, recreation, job training, cultural awareness and physical fitness to communities at large

How Rural Development Helped:

Ms. Dove needed to expand her operation through budgeting, business planning and grant research, thereby, requesting the assistance of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Economic Research and DevelopmentCenter (ERDC).  Ms. Dove first acquired assistance from ERDC in 2002 to help develop her organizational structure and grant writing to get her business formally established.  

The Results:

In 2007, TOPPS, Incorporated was awarded a host of awards and grants including a recently renovated community center to expand her services to the University Park Community and outlying areas.  In expanding her organization, two full-time jobs and one part-time job have been maintained and three part-time positions have been created.  Through its "Reading in the Neighborhood" program TOPPS distributes reading books and provides activities quarterly for 500 children of all ages.

•  Butler’s Adult Daycare Center Inc.
  

Outline of Need:

In our communities, there is a need for comprehensive adult daycare centers for low-to-moderate income, functionally impaired adults and elderly that will provide care and supervision.

The Business:

Mrs. Dorothy Butler is the Founder and Executive Director of Butler’s Adult Daycare Center, Incorporated (BADC).  The Center was incorporated in August 2007 and received its 501(c)(3) status with the IRS in October 2007.  Mrs. Butler purchased a commercial building in February 2008 to house BADC.  Butler’s Adult Daycare Center, Incorporated will offer a range of needed services to functionally impaired adults and elderly of all ages including recreation, social and communal activities.

How Rural Development Helped:

Mrs. Butler needed assistance with the development of her idea; therefore, she requested the assistance of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s EconomicResearch & DevelopmentCenter (ERDC).  We provided the technical assistance and consulting for her to get BADC formally established.  We assisted with business structure, program development, Non-profit setup, and facility acquisition.   

The Results:

Butler’s Adult Daycare Center, Incorporated has been formally established along with having a facility to operate the program in less than five months, and is poised to do great work for the community.  In this start-up organization, Mrs. Dorothy Butler plans to create one part-time job within a year and provide a venue for a host of youth and adult volunteers to share their time and experience.

For more information on USDA RBS 1890 Land Grant Colleges and Universities Initiative click here: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/oa/1890.htm