Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Homepage

Providing a safe haven.
High-quality care.
And hope.

Each year, hundreds of children find a safe haven and HOPE for the future at the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. Beyond meeting their basic needs, our comprehensive services include individualized case management, counseling, education, medical and dental treatment, life skills training and trauma-centered care.

Give the gift of HOPE!

More than 230 children found HOPE at NWACS in FY24.
View our Impact Report to see how we’re changing lives, every day!

Why does Northwest Arkansas need a Children’s Shelter?

Our Impact

Since 1993, more than 13,000 children have been welcomed into the safe haven of the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.

Volunteer

Learn more about how you can change the lives of children in crisis.

Events

Support the mission of the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter while having fun with your friends!

Needs List

A list of much-needed items that will directly benefit the children in our care.

Thank you to our Annual Partners!

Email signup

Hear stories from our kids, learn more about our programs and find out about upcoming events in our monthly eNewsletter.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sadie

In February 2017, I was taken into the Children’s Shelter at 3:27 a.m.

Read more about SadieImpact stories

Meet Sadie

I was taken into the Children’s Shelter at 3:27 a.m.

Due to my past, I was terrified of what I may be walking in to. What if this is the last time I see my brothers? What if I’m completely removed from my “normal” life? I can only imagine what my brothers thought, let alone any other child in the system. This being said, I was shocked walking in to see portraits painted among the walls, a dining room, welcoming staff members … gosh, don’t get me started on how shocked I was to see that we had legit rooms.

They’re decorated! It’s amazing. Here at the Shelter they do their best to make you feel as welcomed and comfortable as possible … Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has honestly done the best they can do to help me in life. There was never a day that went by that I felt uncared for.

It was very hard adjusting, but I knew I was always okay in their hands.

*name and image changed to protect privacy

I rode on a tire swing for the first time!

Mitchell, age 10

Here at this Shelter, staff members treat you with respect and lots of care. They are all helpful and are willing to listen to anything you have to say. I feel safe here.

Damien, age 17

I went to the on-site school which I liked because it gave me one-on-one time and that’s what I needed to help get my grades up and catch up on all my credits so I can graduate. I would like to thank all of the staff at the Shelter for making me and my son feel safe and taken care of.

Teresa, age 17