Dexter, MO - A groundbreaking ceremony was held on the new Harty House in Dexter. The Harty House was made possible by a bequest from the Norman B. Harty trust and a land donation by the Regional Healthcare Foundation.

According to a news release from Assistant Program Director Renee Trout the new facility will feature 9,000 square feet of living space and provide safety, security and technology upgrades. The facility was designed by Dille Pollard Architects and Smith & Boucher Engineers and will be built by Brown Construction Company.

“Welcome to the future site of the Harty House,” said Trout at the groundbreaking. “And on behalf of the Stoddard County Children’s Home Board of Directors, staff, and most especially the children, we would like to welcome you here today as we break ground for our new residential facility.”

Trout recognized the current members of the Stoddard County Children's Home Board next: Kelly Fields-Wilburn, Joy Hudgens, Tonya Keena, Jackie Mayberry, Lauren Mayer, Paula Miles, Josh Miller, Michele Owens, Randy Russell, Allie Scherer, Ryan Slinkard, Zenita Smith and Jim Tweedy.

She also recognized the advisory board comprised of Judge Rob Mayer, Judge Joe Satterfield, Chief Juvenile Officer Tonya Causey, and Children’s Division Circuit Manager Kim Bolin, who oversee operations and ensure that the children in Stoddard County receive the best protection and care.

“We would also like to say thank you to our many partners in this project,” said Trout. “ First and foremost, the Norman B. Harty Trust, who’s vision and foresight is the foundation of what we are beginning here today.”

“Also, thank you to the Regional Healthcare Foundation and its board of directors for the donation of this land and their promise to help build healthy communities in our area,” Trout continued. “Thank you also goes to our project partners, Dille Pollard Architects, Smith & Boucher Engineers, and Brown Construction Company, who’s skill and expertise will bring this house to life.”  

The regional Healthcare Foundation released a statement regarding the project which said:

“The mission of the Dexter Community Regional Healthcare Foundation is to build healthy communities through programs and services we operate, designed to increase the overall health and wellness of our surrounding communities. We could think of no better way to act out our mission statement than donating ground for the building and operation of the new Harty House, children’s residential facility operated by the Stoddard County Children’s Home. Through the operation of our own Mother to Mother mentor program, we have been an active participant of young children’s lives, and by donating this ground, we saw a different avenue of participation we could take, to aid in other children’s lives as well. We certainly want to thank the board of the Stoddard County Children’s Home for allowing us to play a small role in this project.”

“And to you, the citizens of Stoddard County, we offer our grateful appreciation for the continued support that will allow us to build this safe haven for the abused and neglected children in our county,” Trout said. “Thank you for joining with us to provide a secure and loving environment for the children who need us most. We come from communities large and small: Advance, Bell City, Bernie, Bloomfield, Dexter, Essex, and Puxico, and, working together, we will make the Harty House a home.”

Following Trout's address members of the Stoddard County Children's Home Board and county officials donned hard hats and turned the first scoops of dirt with gold shovels.

Pictured from left breaking ground on the Harty House is Brett Dille, Jim Tweedy, Presiding Stoddard County Commissioner Danny Talkington, C.H. Parsons, Lauren Mayer, Meredith Mayer, Tonya Keena, Zenita Smith, Kimberly Bolin, Chief Juvenile Officer Tonya Causey, Jim Russell, Randy Russell, Josh Miller, Aaron Mathis, Justin Trammell holding Brooks Trammell, Bonnie Harty, Sue Grobe, Judy Ackman and Kelly Fields-Wilburn. SHOWME TIMES/Dee Loflin