8/11/2019 OWCAP response letter

1/2

For Immediate Release

The Marshall White Center is a community facility, serving Ogden City youth. It is not a business, nor does itrealize any profit. The Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership OWCAP and Ogden City work closelytogether in the operation of the Marshall White Center. OWCAP provides direct management pursuant to itsagreement with Ogden City, and strives to i mplement Ogden Citys wish es and vision for the Marshall WhiteCenter. Like most non-profit organizations, OWCAP has limited funds to serve the community but is dedicatedto doing the best with what we have.

We apologize if there has been a misunderstanding related to youth programs at the Marshall White Center.Contrary to what has been represented, there is no new enrollment policy for youth programs. Prior to theresignation of our most recent manager at Marshall White Center, it was discovered that the youth programswere not being administered in the manner envisioned and required by Ogden City or OWCAP.

According to the agreement between Ogden City and OWCAP, youth classes are to be offered to Ogden Cityresidents first. The Marshall White Center is an Ogden City facility and reasonable expectations of all usersshould reflect that Ogden residents get priority in the use thereof. If classes do not fill up after a week,enrollment may be opened up to youth of other communities. Generally, classes offered are to be of anintroductory nature, and not necessarily for those at advanced levels.

Additionally, re-enrollment in classes is permitted as long as Ogden Citys expectations for the youth programare followed. The agreement between Ogden City and OWCAP states:

Classes shall focus on a variety of sports and recreational activities for the purposes of introducing

local children to activities they might not have experienced before; introducing activities to children to

help foster a love of being active; and providing a safe place for children where they can feel

comfortable attending classes, trying new things and learning new life skills. OWCAP shall encourage

children and their families to make regular use of the Marshall White Center Recreational facility and

activities .

OWCAP is simply trying to return its management of the Marshall White Center into compliance with ouragreement with Ogden City. Since we are running this program on Ogden Citys behalf, all class levels are toserve Ogden City residents first. We cannot and should not turn Ogden City residents away from a beginner

8/11/2019 OWCAP response letter

2/2

Page 2 of 2

class, so that we can offer a more advanced class, especially if that class is only attended by residents outsideof Ogden City.

In following our agreement, OWCAP makes every attempt to add more introductory classes for those

subjects/sports that fill up the quickest, or have the most interest. Unfortunately, by adding more classes forbeginners, as is our mandate, there may be other classes that are removed. This may result in intermediateand advanced classes being dropped from the schedule.

We apologize if our return to compliance with our agreement with Ogden City has seemed as though we aremaking changes to our policies. Instead, we are focused on serving our community and returning the

management of the Marshall White Center to its core purpose and values.

Like any other organization, OWCAP has policies and procedures that all staff and contracted service providersare required to follow. Previous management at the Marshall White Center had difficulty following theserequired policies and procedures. Some have referred to OWCAPs insistence on following its ag reement with

Ogden City as micro-management. However, OWCAP has a duty to the community it serves as well as OgdenCity to be in compliance with our policies and restrictions, including the expenditure of funds. The previousmanager left employment with OWCAP because of a difference of opinion regarding the level of compliancethat was needed at the Marshall White Center.

As for the resignations of other full-time staff, resignation notices were given to OWCAP stating personalreasons. Regarding youth program coach resignations, OWCAP is only aware of the Cub Scout leader who hasresigned for personal reasons as well. We have been informed that the Archery coach will continue this fall.

OWCAP is solely funded by restricted grants. Because of this, there are additional levels of compliance andrestrictions placed on what activities can and cannot occur at the Marshall White Center. Concerns had beenraised to OWCAP that there may have been some instructors/coaches that had been mixing their privatebusiness interests and the youth program classes they were teaching at the Marshall White Center.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Heath has taken OWCAPs insistence for proper management and compliance with

its agreement with Ogden City as a platform to disparage an organization that has benefited so many youth.Mr. Heath was a contracted service provider and said contract has ended by its terms. As parents haveexpressed their concerns over Mr. Heaths comments, OWCAP is pleased to hear of the positive impact the

youth classes have made in the lives of their children. OWCAP plans to continue to offer youth programs toOgden residents and if able, to as many other youth as can be accommodated.

OWCAP Board of Trustees

Donald R. Carpenter, Ph.D., LCSWAgency Administrator / Head Start Director