08/31/2026
Congratulations to the 19 SPP employees who completed the Core Excellence program, a five-month engaged experience that gives employees the opportunity to elevate their leadership skills alongside fellow employees.
As part of the program, graduates put those skills into action through three community-focused initiatives supporting youth, veterans and local communities:
Play It Forward created a permanent sports equipment donation and sharing station at the James H. Penick Boys & Girls Club, helping expand access to sports and recreation for youth.
Carter’s Crew helped transform a building into the Youth Success Center, the first prevention education hub in Arkansas. The team also helped bring the center’s Healing Courtyard to life, creating a safe, calming outdoor space where young people can reflect, regulate emotions and begin to heal.
The third team partnered with VA Fort Roots to transform a community recreation space for Veterans, creating a dedicated pickleball area and reorganizing the community room to better support recreational and social activities.
The final team partnered with the Humane Society of Pulaski County to develop what they have titled “The SPP Donation Station.” This durable, long-lasting table and shelving system is designed to securely hold donations such as pet food, blankets, and other supplies used by the shelter. It also includes a designated space for brochures offering resources and information to support individuals who have recently experienced the loss of a pet.
Congratulations to the 2026 Core Excellence graduates for putting leadership into action and powering progress both inside and outside of SPP.
