Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

News

Employee Spotlight – Katrina Lott

Our Employee Spotlight is on Katrina Lott! In her 14 years with the Shelter, Katrina has served in many roles and continues to be the go-to person to step in wherever she is needed. In her current role as Operations Manager, her training and support is invaluable to our Case Managers and Youth Care Team. […]

Employee Spotlight – Executive Chef, Trena Ames

How long have you been with the Shelter? I have been at the shelter for 10 months and I love my job! What is your favorite part about your job? When I see the kids’ eyes light up and get excited about the meals they are about to eat and are grateful for them. Share your favorite kid […]

Village on the Creeks businesses join together in support of the Shelter

The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter (NWACS) has announced that the ownership, management and tenants at Village on the Creeks, the iconic mixed-use commercial property in Pinnacle Hills in Rogers, have joined together in a challenge grant that raised a total of $46,122 in support of the continuing mission of the Shelter to protect and support […]

Lowe’s Heroes to the Rescue

A playground is a space for a kid to be a kid. A safe playground is where kids can make many happy memories. Thank you to the Lowe’s Crew for generously donating their time and energy to make our playground a much safer space for our kids. Thanks to Lowe’s in Bentonville, NuScape and IMC Outdoor […]

Employee Spotlight – Lisa Covert

I always wondered what my mission in life was, then 12 years ago I found my mission and passion when I started working as a Youth Care Specialist for the NWACS. Today, I still feel the same. I am passionate about my work with the most vulnerable of children. My favorite part about my job […]

Gallons for Growth benefits the Shelter

Throughout September, Kum & Go stores in Northwest Arkansas will donate $.03 to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter and Hope Academy of Northwest Arkansas for every 20 oz. Pepsi product sold. Plus, be sure to fill your tank on September 9th when Kum & Go will also donate $.05 for every gallon of gas sold at all NWA locations!

Abby

Let me tell you Abby’s story. It was one of the worst cases of neglect the police officer had ever seen. The children were covered in grime, clearly malnourished and sleeping on filthy pallets on the floor. The house had no running water and roaches infested the kitchen. There were visible scratches, bruises and burns […]

Read more about AbbyImpact stories

Meet Abby

Let me tell you Abby’s story.

It was one of the worst cases of neglect the police officer had ever seen. The children were covered in grime, clearly malnourished and sleeping on filthy pallets on the floor. The house had no running water and roaches infested the kitchen. There were visible scratches, bruises and burns on the children’s bodies. This wasn’t the first time their caregiver had been arrested.

After the children were removed from the home, they arrived at the doors of the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. They were scared, tired and hungry. We welcomed them with open arms. The Shelter team immediately sprang into action by serving the children a hot meal, giving each child a bath, providing them with clean clothing and beginning treatment for rashes, burns and lice. Abby was the oldest child living in the home — a young girl of less than seven years. Confused and extremely angry, she lashed out at the Shelter team because she had never trusted an adult in her life. She didn’t know how to react when we tried to care for her. She had been deprived of the love and affection of a family.

With patience and guidance from the Shelter team, Abby learned how to better handle her anger and frustration. She learned how to use kind words and how to depend on the adults around her to meet her needs. Most importantly, she learned that, for the first time in her life, she had people who truly cared for her.

Now, Abby has discovered the joys of childhood.

She loves stuffed animals. She loves talking about kittens. She loves drawing pictures for her teacher. On a recent visit to Chick-fil-A, she was so excited about eating in a “real” restaurant and even more excited about joining the other children in the play area. In our care, Abby learned how to laugh and have fun. Her laugh is so infectious, it can turn a bad day into a great one!

Abby is just one of the more than 10,000 children in Arkansas who experienced abuse or neglect last year. For the past 5 years, Washington County has ranked #2 and Benton County #3 for substantiated cases of child abuse. Yes, child abuse is very real and, yes, it is happening in OUR community.

The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter serves as the first point of refuge for children from throughout Arkansas who have suffered the trauma of abuse or neglect. Here, they are safe, loved and given the opportunity to just be kids again.

We need your help to combat the effects of abuse and neglect on our kids. Your gift to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter not only provides a warm bed and three meals per day, but also the opportunity for children like Abby to begin the process of healing. Help our children to know that they are loved with your gift.

See our needs list or donate today!

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

The staff treated me as if I were their family. They were always there for me and always reminded me of my worth.

Kiyasha, age 15

I like the Shelter because we get new stuff, like clothes, and we get to go outside and play kickball.

Adam, age 6