The Public Life Foundation promotes a three-pronged process for community problem solving:
Information. Citizens need reliable data, reports, and research, presented in a form that can be understood by everyday citizens.
Deliberation. To form sound judgments, citizens must come together and examine issues, opposing points of view, problems, and possibilities. The voice of all must be valued and encouraged.
Action. Once informed and engaged, once citizens are ready to act, they may need assistance to organize, mobilize support, or initiate programs.
People’s Health Project materials
Adapted findings of University of Kentucky health needs assessment into discussion guidebooks for community forums
Prescription Drug Report
Commissioned a study to examine the problems, causes, and possible solutions to high cost of prescription drugs
Project Access
Sponsored a presentation to health and community leaders on a successful North Carolina health care access model
Educational Finance Study
Commissioned a study of financial trends and disparities of local public school systems
Riverfront Development Ideas
Through the citizens group PRIDE, possibilities and preferences for the enhancement of our riverfront were gathered from surveys, focus groups, school projects, and public meetings
Manuals and Retreats
Citizens Committee on Education and PRIDE Board of Directors needed updated data and reports to guide its decision-making. Planning retreats helped each bring into focus their mission, goals, and projects
Caregivers Information Exchange
Facilitated communication and broadened collaboration among the Salvation Army, Goodfellows Club, Christmas Wish, Alma Randolph Foundation, and others
Goodfellows Club
Focus Group Helped club leaders understand the circumstances and challenges facing children and families served by the organization
Lectures/Symposia
Sponsored public lecture by State Representative Kathy Stein for the Girl’s Club-Owensboro Women’s Coalition. Sponsored “Citizen Kentucky,” a KET roundtable discussion
Teacher Training
Purchased professional development materials to help teachers better understand poverty
Kentucky Civil Rights Movement Documentary
Sponsored production and distribution to area schools and public libraries
People’s Health Project Forums
Organized and conducted more than 45 forums to bring forth health care concerns and experiences of people from every walk of life
PRIDE Community Workshop
Sponsored a half-day workshop involving 130 citizens to examine riverfront conditions, objectives, possibilities, and potential solutions. Absorbed cost of workshop, materials, and consultant.
Community Conversations, Inc.
Provided financial support of CC’s public forums, moderator training, and other programs
Herman Floyd Memorial forum
Sponsored race relations forum organized by State Rep. Brian Crall
Citizens Health Care Coalition
Building upon the interest generated at People’s Health Project forums, we are assisting citizens in organizing a health care advocacy group
Project Access
A top recommendation emerging from the forums: establish a more effective mechanism to match community needs with resources. Supporting efforts to develop such a mechanism.
Resource Guide for Community Health Centers
Published a brochure to assist social workers, ministers, school nurses, and others
Primary Care Directory
Published a directory to assist caregivers and citizens particularly the uninsured – in finding a “medical home”
Federal Grant
Data from the University of Kentucky Health Needs Assessment was key in helping Daviess County secure a federal grant to improve health care access
Tobacco Tax Increase
Joined with more than a dozen other members of Healthy Horizons in unanimous support of state tobacco taxes to curb smoking and generate funds for tobacco prevention-cessation programs
Stipends for Student Coalition Leaders
Awarded a grant for Owensboro-Daviess County Youth Council
Community Summit on Healthy Lifestyles
Proposed and helping organize a major civic event to address health and lifestyle issues
Support for PRIDE
Provided administrative support, database management, meeting notices, etc. for community appearance advocates
Support of neighborhood associations
Awarded several grants to support and encourage grass roots civic participation
Support for Goodfellows Club
Provided administrative support in partnership with the Messenger-Inquirer
Support for Health Kentucky, Inc.
Awarded a grant to promote physician and pharmaceutical services for the poor available locally through the program.
A John and Marjorie Hager Charitable Trust
(advised by their children: Susie H. Alford, Stewart Hager, Sally H. Wood and Bruce Hager)
Apollo High School – International Baccalaureate Program
Century Christian Church – Friday-After-Five teen events
Estes Elementary School – Field trip to Frankfort
Field House – John Rosemond lecture
Foust Elementary School – Reading Lab
Free Clinic – Prescription drugs
Girls, Inc. – Support of downtown center
Goodfellows Club – Annual Appeal
Green River Area Development District
Senior Links Program – Senior Celebration
Jennifer House – Halfway House
Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers – Math Counts Program
Longfellow Education Center – Computer Lab
H.L. Neblett Center – Joint Hands Program
Neighborhood Advisory Board – Leadership Owensboro scholarships
Owensboro Chamber of Commerce – NAACP skills assessments
Owensboro High School – Scholarship Fund
Owensboro Hospitality House – Annual fundraiser
PRIDE – Wildflower demonstration project
Owensboro/Western Kentucky Regional Science Fair – Scholarships
RiverPark Center – Tickets for disadvantaged students
St. Joseph Peace Center – Shelter for children
Special Touch Child Care – Nursing care for special needs children
Tradewater/Lower Green River Watershed Watch – Water Quality Testing
United Way/Disciples of Christ Missions – New York relief efforts
Voluntary Action Center – Reading Connections Program
Western Kentucky Botanical Garden – Herb Garden
In 2001, the foundation devoted nearly $260,000 to enrich public life in Owensboro-Daviess County. And through the Progeny Fund, grants exceeding $100,000 were distributed to 26 local charities.
John S. Hager, Chairman
Sally H. Wood, President
Susie H. Alford, Vice President
Rodney B. Berry, Vice President
Denny Alford, Secretary/Treasurer
David Adkisson
Dr. David Boeyink
Bruce Hager
Marjorie M. Hager
Stewart Hager
Yolla Hager
Rodney B. Berry, Executive Director
Kathy Strobel, Office Manager
Beverly Mills, People’s Health Project Coordinator
Sue Trautwein, Adm. Assistant to Mr. Hager
Copyright ©2024 Public Life Foundation of Owensboro