• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

  • Who We Are
    • About NWACS
    • Our Impact
    • Leadership Team
  • What We Do
    • Emergency Shelter
    • Horizon Academy
    • Foster for the Future
    • Hope Academy
  • How to Help
    • Donate
    • Needs List
    • Volunteer
    • Events
  • News
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Careers

How to Help

Wesley

“I love it here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is the best place I’ve ever been.” The sentiment above was recently shared by a 14-year-old named Wesley*. At first, we were thrilled to hear it. We were so glad that he felt safe and comfortable here at the Shelter. That means that […]

Read more about WesleyImpact stories

Meet Wesley

“I love it here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is the best place I’ve ever been.”

The sentiment above was recently shared by a 14-year-old named Wesley*. At first, we were thrilled to hear it. We were so glad that he felt safe and comfortable here at the Shelter. That means that we’re doing our job well. That means that we’re fulfilling our mission.

Right?

But then, as what he said began to sink in, it actually made us very sad. Shouldn’t this young man want to be in a home? Shouldn’t he want to be part of a family? So, why, out of all the places he has been, does he want to be here?

His understanding of home and family is so much different than ours. A home, to him, means conflict and struggle.  It means constantly being hyper aware and ready to fight or flee at any moment. It means feeling alone and frightened, but never being able to show fear or weakness. It means growing up way too fast.

At the Shelter, Wesley is surrounded by people who care about him, 24 hours a day. He has a routine and knows what to expect from day to day. He never has to question whether he will have clean clothing or enough to eat. He knows that his education is important and that his teachers will do everything they can to keep him on track. He knows that we want him to have the best future possible.

We wish every child in Arkansas had a loving, supportive home. We wish we could close the doors of the Shelter forever. Unfortunately, there will always be children like Wesley. To him, the Shelter is more of a family than he has ever known. So, we will keep our doors open, and our arms open even wider, for the children who need us.

*name and image changed to protect privacy

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

I learned that love is better than hate.

Tonya, age 17

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

Marly, age 12

Footer

Contact Us

860 NW Vaughn Road
Bentonville, AR 72713

Link to map
To find us using GPS, enter 14100 Vaughn Road, Bentonville

479-795-2417
website@nwacs.org

For DCFS use only

Referral Form

Join Our Team

If you are interested in a rewarding job providing a safe haven and loving care to the most vulnerable children in our community, apply today!

More information

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Copyright © 2025 Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter · All rights reserved.
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • How to Help
  • News
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Careers