“Rural poverty robs America, but when organizations communicate, coordinate, collaborate and work together, progress does happen.”
That’s the message Friends of Children of Mississippi Inc.’s (FCM) Executive Director Marvin Hogan told a room filled with congressmen and prominent Capitol Hill executives many years ago. That message opened up many doors and now, the non-profit organization is celebrating its 43rd year existence.
Although the organization has accomplished many successes, the beginning was extremely rocky.
“We have proven that success is possible,” said Hogan. “We are a program that started from a humble beginning.” A humble beginning Hogan said came during what most would consider trying times.
“We went 18 months without federal or state dollars and now, 43 years later, our record success proves that point,” said Hogan. “And I’m just excited about the opportunity that’s out there for us now. We have a president in the White House that endorses early childhood education and education period, and the American Recovery Re-Investment Act of 2009. It’s what I call a new world for Head Start and early Head Start.”
The new world Hogan referred to will provide comprehensive early child development services to low-income children, their families, and communities.
“We are a human services agency operating Head Start programs under our umbrella,” said Hogan about his organization’s involvement. Friends of Children is one of 24 programs in the state that operates the Head Start program. Their program services 3,550 children in the Head Start program and 293 children in the Early Head Start program.
But the work doesn’t stop with children. FCM focuses on parent education as well.
“Early childhood education and parent education go hand in hand,” said Hogan. “We are committed to not only developing children, but also developing the parents of those children.”
FCM was started on Oct. 15, 1966 by a group of friends who not only cared about children, but had a passion to help children, hence birthing the name Friends of Children.
“We were a group of people that wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and families,” said Hogan. “We wanted to touch those who have been left out and those who are less fortunate. That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about Marvin Hogan and it’s not about Friends of Children. It’s about making a difference in the lives of children that are coming up in this country. And I said we can do that.”
Hogan commended Obama’s administration and the government officials that have supported not only his program, but programs like his all over.
“In this new administration, the government has been coming forward. They have been putting their money where their mouth is. And its now time for us to be accountable,” said Hogan. “A lot of people think it’s a waste of money, but when you are talking about 987 jobs, through this one program and over 10,000 jobs in Head Start in the state of Mississippi, that’s an industry in itself.”
FCM started with only four counties. They are now operating in 15 counties. A success that Hogan said has humbled the organization.
“We are very thankful that we are in these counties,” said Hogan.
When asked where he sees FCM in the next 10 years, Hogan replied, “My greatest drive before I get out of here is to see if we can get people back together. I’m hoping that when people are re-capping history and looking at what we have now accomplished as a result of hard work and humility, they will be amazed.”
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