Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Our Board

Board of Directors

Will Hanna

Director of Operations, Hanna Family Ranch

Amy Merryman

Manager, Whitaker Properties

Chris Lamson

Board Treasurer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy & General Manager Breeder's Choice, Central Garden and Pet

Dr. Curt Hedberg

Physician, Hedberg Allergy & Asthma Center

Emily Reynolds

Board President and Legal Counsel, Walmart

Jeff Spillyards

Senior Associate Counsel, Walmart

Lori Collins

Community Volunteer

Mary Zettle

Board Secretary and Director of Sales, General Mills

State Sen. Bart Hester

Arkansas State Senator, District 1

Steve Bratspies

Chief Merchandising Officer, Walmart

Tony Rogers

Chief Member Officer, Sam's Club

Van Bakke

Board Vice President and Vice President Sales/Operations, Walmart Team PepsiCo

Samuel

Samuel came from an environment of neglect. He didn’t know where his next meal would come from, and he spent much of his young life on the streets.

Read more about SamuelImpact stories

Meet Samuel

Samuel came from an environment of neglect. He didn’t know where his next meal would come from, and he spent much of his young life on the streets.

By the time he arrived at the Children’s Shelter at 16-years old, he’d experienced 26 failed placements, was reading at a second grade level and failure was just a normal part of life.

Upon meeting Samuel, the dedicated team at the Shelter began building trust with him and created an individualized success plan.

He has not only received the care, love and vital services he so desperately needed, but he has thrived. Samuel has made great strides in school. He is working on life skills such as changing the oil in the Shelter vans, assisting with set-up for Shelter events and helping reconcile petty cash in the business office. He’s even opened up a bank account and visited different work environments to discuss career options for his future.

Before the Shelter, Samuel didn’t know home. At the Shelter, he’s found not only a home, but a family.

This place has made me feel the most at home. What makes it so special is the staff. I have never met such caring and dedicated staff.

Katie, age 14

While at the Shelter, I got to do two things for the first time – roller skating and bowling!

Sharee, age 12

I rode on a tire swing for the first time!

Mitchell, age 10