Wednesday, October 24, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

For Nancy Hungerford, any honor that comes her way is for

the many children in her life.

It is the children who will be on her mind Thursday, when she

is one of three Mississippians saluted as civic stars by the Mississippi

Center for Nonprofits.

&uot;I’m elated, humbled and stunned,&uot; said Hungerford,

director of the Natchez Children’s Home.

The selection of Hungerford as one of the stars was based on

her 18 years of service to the state’s oldest child care agency,

said Jo Prichard of the nonprofit center in Jackson.

&uot;Nancy Hungerford has been a leading advocate for at-risk

children and families, working tirelessly on the local, state

and national levels to win improved protection rights and service

for children,&uot; Prichard said.

She will share the spotlight with Thalia Mara, whose untiring

efforts have brought the International Ballet Competition and

other world-class performing artists to the state; and Dr. Aaron

Shirley, who was instrumental in making the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive

Health Center the largest community health center in the state.

The &uot;Celebration of Stars&uot; benefit will be held at

the home of Katie and Kim Breese in Jackson. Tickets are $50 per

person and may be obtained from the Center for Nonprofits at 601-968-0061.

&uot;I’ve been on the board of the nonprofit center for about

five years,&uot; Hungerford said. &uot;I’ve been like a sponge

soaking up everything I could from that very capable group. And

I know there are things I’m doing better because of them.&uot;

Hungerford, who was assistant to the director at the Natchez

Children’s Home from 1983 to 1988, assumed the leadership role

in 1988.

Among her accomplishments are doubling both the budget and

the income of the agency without federal grant assistance and

redefining the mission of the 185-year-old nonprofit agency.

The home is where her heart is, Hungerford said. &uot;We’ve

provided a safe haven, nuturing home and a functional family as

a second choice for children who might not have one,&uot; she

said.

Statistics expose a frightening picture of child abuse in the

nation, she said. &uot;I know a statistic we use is that once

every 11 minutes a child in this country is physically abused,&uot;

she said. &uot;It’s going on at an alarming rate in this community

as elsewhere.&uot;

Not every child turns into a success story, Hungerford said.

But the gratification is huge when she and others who work at

the home meet well-adjusted, successful adults who spent time

at the home during a dark period of their lives.

&uot;They’re proud of doing well, and they want us to know

it,&uot; she said.