Homeless coalition has new director

The Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless appointed Dick Daggett as its new director last week.

Daggett worked for the Hardee County School system for 30 years. He started as a sixth-grade teacher and taught all subjects including science. He also worked as a district resource teacher and spent the last five years of as the district administrator for the transportation department.

About three years ago Daggett began considering other areas of public service when he saw children within the school system become homeless. Most were negatively impacted by the economic downturn when their parents lost their jobs.

"Now more than ever, we must work harder to help those in desperate financial and personal situations," said Daggett, a Wauchula resident.

On Monday Daggett attended his first community meeting with local leaders and the Coalition for the Homeless Board of Directors. They discussed their mission to extend assistance to families and individuals experiencing hardship.

"In the school system we were educating kids and our focus was on what molds we can make. Here we have to fit the molds of the people we're dealing with because everyone's life is different," he said.

Daggett has been a board member of the Heartland Workforce for 10 years. At the coalition he wants to cross train employees and work more closely with other organizations like the Avon Park Housing Authority and the Heartland Workforce.

The Coalition for the Homeless has various programs to assist families with utility bills and job training but a small group of people remain left out, Daggett said.

Daggett wants to add programs that will work for this group of people by providing job training through a collaborate effort with the Heartland Workforce.

"It's a matter of priorities. I believe in helping people when they need it most," Daggett said.

The organization opened the director's position in February after the former director Richard Reinhardt was fired by the board.

The board received about 20 applicants and interviewed six who met the criteria. While working for the school district Daggett obtained a grant to improve communications during emergency events.

Barbara Cook, president of the Homeless Coalition, said the board was impressed with Daggett's previous grant writing experience and his financial background.

FAST FACT

Dick Daggett has been a board member of the Heartland Workforce for 10 years. At the coalition he wants to cross train employees and work more closely with other organizations like the Avon Park Housing Authority and the Heartland Workforce.