Ozark Independent Living has made a $25,000 donation to the Ozarks Medical Center Foundation in recognition of the organization's work with the SWAT (Students Working at Transition) program.

The program is a collaborative effort between West Plains R-VII Schools and Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) that assists students with successful integration into the world of work and society.

The SWAT program, which began in 2006, provides on the job training for R-VII students with special needs. Students receive opportunities at OMC to job shadow employees, which increases their jobs skills, encourages them to accept responsibility and assists them with future vocational options. The SWAT program is led by teacher Joe Davis.

"Joe Davis is as dedicated a teacher as anyone would find," said Ozark Independent Living (OIL) Executive Director Cindy Moore. "His students will be better prepared for their own futures because of this class and his friendship to his students. I'm just very thankful that OIL is able to support the SWAT program and our community as a whole.  We wanted to commend OMC for being a willing participant."

 "We are extremely appreciative of Ozark Independent Living's generous support of OMC," said Robin Morgan, OMC Foundation Director. "We also thank them for their recognition of the SWAT program. This program is a great partnership and provides many benefits to the students, as well as OMC. We are lucky to have such a wonderful group of young people providing a positive influence at OMC."

Ozark Independent Living (OIL) is a non-profit, non-residential facility, which serves people with disabilities. OIL is funded by a grant from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of Missouri and is located in West Plains at 109 Aid Ave. Although located in West Plains, this office serves the counties of Howell, Ozark, Oregon, Shannon, Wright, Douglas and Texas. OIL services include information and referral, peer support, skills training and advocacy. For more information about OIL, call 417-257-0038 or toll free 888-440-7500.

For more information about the OMC Foundation, call 417-257-5700. 

Front row, from left, Ozark Independent Living (OIL) Public Relations/Marketing Specialist Kathy Harrington, OIL Executive Director Cindy Moore, OMC Foundation Director Robin Morgan, SWAT students Molly Collins, Christine Lipper, Lexy Armstrong and Ethan Yarbrough, and Instructor Joe Davis. Back row, from left, Instructor Aide Paul Walker, Instructor Aide Pamela Shamblin, students Mark Barnard, Rachel Brown, Bobby Panky, Keasha Groover, Amber Richardson and Gage Potts, Instructor Aide Bob Homes, and Instructor Aide Dacus Bowles.