For Immediate Release

The Marshall White Center is a community facility, serving Ogden City youth. It is not a business, nor does it

realize any profit. The Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership OWCAP and Ogden City work closely

together in the operation of the Marshall White Center. OWCAP provides direct management pursuant to its

agreement with Ogden City, and strives to implement Ogden Citys wishes and vision for the Marshall White

Center. Like most non-profit organizations, OWCAP has limited funds to serve the community but is dedicated

to 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 the

resignation of our most recent manager at Marshall White Center, it was discovered that the youth programs

were 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 City

residents first. The Marshall White Center is an Ogden City facility and reasonable expectations of all users

should 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 an

introductory 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 program

are 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 our

agreement with Ogden City. Since we are running this program on Ogden Citys behalf, all class levels are to

serve Ogden City residents first. We cannot and should not turn Ogden City residents away from a beginner

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class, so that we can offer a more advanced class, especially if that class is only attended by residents outside

of 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 for

beginners, as is our mandate, there may be other classes that are removed. This may result in intermediate

and 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 are

making 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 providers

are required to follow. Previous management at the Marshall White Center had difficulty following these

required policies and procedures. Some have referred to OWCAPs insistence on following its agreement with

Ogden City as micro-management. However, OWCAP has a duty to the community it serves as well as Ogden

City to be in compliance with our policies and restrictions, including the expenditure of funds. The previous

manager left employment with OWCAP because of a difference of opinion regarding the level of compliance

that was needed at the Marshall White Center.

As for the resignations of other full-time staff, resignation notices were given to OWCAP stating personal

reasons. Regarding youth program coach resignations, OWCAP is only aware of the Cub Scout leader who has

resigned 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 and

restrictions placed on what activities can and cannot occur at the Marshall White Center. Concerns had been

raised to OWCAP that there may have been some instructors/coaches that had been mixing their private

business 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 have

expressed 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 to

Ogden residents and if able, to as many other youth as can be accommodated.

OWCAP Board of Trustees

Donald R. Carpenter, Ph.D., LCSW

Agency Administrator / Head Start Director