Care to Learn expands to OTC

The Care to Learn program, started by Springfield businessmen Doug Pitt and Jim Morris and the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, is expanding its reach to the college ranks.

Ozarks Technical Community College will be the first higher education institution to participate in the program, which provides help with health, hunger and hygiene issues, according to a joint announcement Wednesday.

The program, which is already in place in the Springfield, Nixa and Ozark school districts and is soon to expand to Bolivar, offers emergency financial help and other assistance to OTC students or their dependents.

OTC officials hope the program will allow students to attend college who couldn't otherwise afford the cost.

"Every day, I, along with my colleagues, watch students ... many of whom have significant needs," OTC faculty member Todd Yerby said in a news release. He referred to one unidentified student who had lost work hours and had his utilities cut off, only to drop out of class after six weeks.

"This type of situation happens over and over again. Care to Learn ... provides the opportunity to change fortunes, challenge adversity and confront the basic needs of health, hygiene, and hunger," Yerby said.

The Care to Learn program began in 2008 with a $50,000 donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which was later matched by Morris.