Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Our Board

Board of Directors

Alvis Washington

Vice President, Marketing - Store Design, Innovation, and Experience, Walmart

Ash Eisa

SVP, Global Sourcing and Procurement, Walmart

Landon Taylor

Board Treasurer, Bank President/CCO/COO, First Western Bank

Jim Sliker

CEO, Central States Manufacturing

Jess Dinkla

Sales Director, The Hershey Company

Will Hanna

Director of Operations, Hanna Family Ranch

Amy Merryman

Manager, Whitaker Properties

Chris Lamson

Sales and Finance Professional

Dr. Curt Hedberg

Physician, Hedberg Allergy & Asthma Center

Emily Reynolds

Board President and Legal Counsel, Walmart

Mary Zettle

Board Secretary and VP of Sales, Blue Buffalo

State Sen. Bart Hester

Arkansas State Senator, District 1

Van Bakke

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

Demonte

Recently, we had an intelligent, hard-working young man in our care. His name was Demonte and he was 15 years old. One day, he got upset in class and took off out of the building like he was planning to run away. This is not an uncommon reaction from the children in our care. Many […]

Read more about DemonteImpact stories

Meet Demonte

Recently, we had an intelligent, hard-working young man in our care. His name was Demonte and he was 15 years old. One day, he got upset in class and took off out of the building like he was planning to run away. This is not an uncommon reaction from the children in our care. Many have been taught that their only two options, when circumstances are beyond their control, are fight or flight. This time, Demonte chose flight.
Lisa, one of our amazing Youth Care Specialists, followed after him and was calling out his name to stop him from walking away. Finally, he did stop and Lisa was able to convince him to return. Later that afternoon, when he was talking through what had happened, he said, “When I heard Mrs. Lisa saying my name, it made me realize that no one in my family or in my life would ever have cared if I ran away. The only reason I stopped is because I knew Mrs. Lisa must care about me because she came after me.”
This is just one story, among hundreds each year, that shows how much our youth care staff impact the children in our care – every day. It is an honor to be here for these kids when they need us the most.

The world’s not perfect, but people are there to help you. The Shelter was a good environment and people wanted the best for me, and it made me want to love myself more. If I had not gone to the Shelter, I don’t think I’d be in school and I would probably still be in a home when I’m the adult when I shouldn’t have to be.

Lauren, age 16

I’m so glad that I got to spend my 12th birthday here at the Shelter. It was truly the best!

Marly, age 12

Thanks you NWACS, I now have a bright and successful future. I can’t say thank you enough and I will never forget the amazing people here.

Sammy, age 16