About NWACS
How We Help
The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is a private, non-profit organization that provides a safe place of healing for children throughout Arkansas who are victims of abandonment, abuse, neglect and trafficking. Composed of three pillars: The Shelter, Hope Academy and Foster for the Future, our programs utilize and develop cutting-edge practices, grounded in over 30 years of trauma-centered research, to meet the needs of children who have experienced significant trauma. We are dedicated to continuing to develop high-quality programs and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that will guide best practices for decades to come.
Our Values
Head
We foster a culture of strategy and innovation.
hope
We provide the foundation for a better tomorrow.
heart
We serve our children, families and staff with compassion and dedication.
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We work collaboratively and respectfully, striving for excellence in all we do.
Our History
In the late 1980s, Juvenile Court Judge Terry Crabtree learned that Benton County children were sleeping overnight in DHS offices because there was a shortage of foster homes in Northwest Arkansas.
He rallied a group of community leaders to the cause, and the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter was incorporated in July 1991. Through an outpouring of community support, including hundreds of volunteer hours, the funds were raised to hire a staff and secure a location. The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter officially opened its doors on December 6, 1993, with five girls in residence.
Throughout our 30 year history, we have served more than 13,000 children in need of a safe haven and loving care – providing each of them hope for a brighter future.
Our Campus
Take a Tour
Enjoy this tour of our campus! Children come to us from across the state of Arkansas. If it’s their first stay with us, they don’t know what to expect. We designed this video to give them a quick tour of our campus so they know that they’re coming to a safe, caring, fun place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter only serve kids from Northwest Arkansas?
In spite of its geographically specific name, Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter serves children from throughout the state of Arkansas. The majority of its residents come from Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison counties, but many come from the River Valley and Central Arkansas, as well.
How many children can Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter accommodate?
Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter currently has a total 32 beds, divided into three residence wings – a boys wing, a girls wing and a flex wing.
Why and how are children placed at Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter?
The majority of Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter residents are placed here by the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Children & Family Services (DCFS), in response to a report or allegation of child abuse, abandonment, neglect. Victims of child trafficking are also placed at the Shelter after an intervention by law enforcement.