Our Community Cares: Bost

Our Community Cares

words Catherine Frederick with Jeanne Hill, Director of Marketing & Fundraising

Bost was founded in 1959 by local pediatrician, Dr. Roger B. Bost. We are a nonprofit organization providing services and support in Arkansas to nearly 1,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By working together with our community partners, we can improve the overall health of the individual, promoting a higher level of independence. Do South® reached out to Jeanne Hill, Director of Marketing & Fundraising, to learn more.

5812 Remington Circle Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.478.5600 bost.org

Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy nonprofit in our area free of charge. We will accept requests for this free page beginning in October, 2022. Send questions to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com. DS: How did Bost come to be? The Bost School for Exceptional Children was created when parents of disabled children knew that their children could do MORE than what was expected of them. With the appropriate education and training they could lead full, independent lives. They approached Dr. Roger Bost, local pediatrician, who was of a like mind and created the school.

DS: Who does Bost serve and in what ways? Bost serves individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities with services customizable to the individual, depending on their personal goals and levels of independence. With Bost, there are opportunities for growth, learning, and greater independence throughout the individual’s life.

DS: What are some of the new initiatives Bost has instituted to enrich the lives of those served? Bost is like many other businesses who have pivoted, struggled, and looked for opportunities for innovation and growth, despite the uncertainties of a global pandemic. We continued to provide our services and support and have added things to enrich the lives of those we serve, such as ACTS, a therapeutic drama program, through a partnership with the Arkansas College of Health Education and now we are excited to bring dance through a partnership with the Western Arkansas Ballet! We are also growing our facilities to better meet the needs of our communities. We opened new apartments in Rogers and are looking to use the same model in the future. The “group living” dynamic allows those we serve to have greater independence in their apartments by having staff assigned to the facility rather than to the person. Our Dardanelle location is getting a new state-of-the-art facility to better serve adults and children that choose Bost for their day services. We look forward to the opportunities for growth and innovation that the new facility will allow.

DS: How can our community support Bost and those served by Bost? Community support is shown to us in many ways. Think of Bost when you have an open position in your business that might be a good fit for one of our adults who have been training to work in the community. Think about BOST if you have a friend that is looking for employment. Think of Bost if you have some children’s books or gently used clothing you no longer need. Think of Bost when someone asks about the good things in our community or if you see an individual with disabilities in need of help.

DS: Are there immediate needs or events our readers should know about? The 20th Annual Grape Escapes, A Vine Affair will be held at the Wyndham Fort Smith (formerly the Doubletree by Hilton) on March 4, from 6 to 9pm. We are excited to be back in the room for our cocktail style, signature fundraiser providing guests with the opportunity to sample wines from around the world and enjoy hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants and caterers. We will have live music, a lively auction, along with a fun photo opportunity! Tickets can be purchased at grapeescapes.org or by calling 479.478.5600. All funds raised will be used LOCALLY to fund critical services and supports for individuals with disabilities served by Bost. Those we serve still need us, and we still need YOU!