LOCAL NONPROFITS
LOCAL NONPROFITS The River Valley is home to many incredible nonprofit organizations doing amazing work with limited resources. Our 5th annual Local Nonprofits Guide serves to further each of their missions and allows you to discover how you can get involved and pledge your support to those which
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
are near and dear to your heart.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
LOCAL NONPROFITS The River Valley is home to many incredible nonprofit organizations doing amazing work with limited resources. Our 5th annual Local Nonprofits Guide serves to further each of their missions and allows you to discover how you can get involved and pledge your support to those which
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
are near and dear to your heart.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
7000 Chad Colley Boulevard Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.308.2243 achehealth.edu
5401 Rogers Avenue, Suite 204 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.927.1402 aspsf.org
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) is a private, In the River Valley, low-income single parent students hope
ACHE is fulfilling its mission of educating future healthcare
they can pay utility bills, put food on the table, buy gas, and
professionals through: Arkansas College of Osteopathic
still have enough funds to stay in school next semester. This is
Medicine (ARCOM), Master of Science in Biomedicine (MSB),
why Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) exists —
Master of Public Health (MPH), School of Physical Therapy
and you can help, too! When you give to ASPSF, you provide
(ACHE PT), and School of Occupational Therapy (ACHE OT).
a flexible scholarship that helps nontraditional students pay
Off campus, ACHE is committed to making a difference in the
for school supplies, childcare, and groceries while attending
community. The ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness
classes. And, best of all, you send the message that you
Center (RI) celebrated the opening of the first floor of the
believe in single parents and their education. Your gift today
317,000-square-foot facility to be used for biomedical research
helps single parents on their journey through school, to
and targeted health and wellness initiatives. ACHE is a private
graduation, and onto a career with family-supporting wages.
institution dedicated solely to healthcare and wellness.
Donate or volunteer today at aspsf.org.
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
not-for-profit institution located on 500+ acres in Fort Smith.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
SUICIDE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
PO BOX 11967, Fort Smith, Arkansas contact@billneumeierfoundation.com The Bill Neumeier Foundation for Suicide Awareness was
James Maginot, Assistant Executive Director 479.222.7155 bost.org
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
founded in remembrance of William “Bill” August Neumeier, Jr. Our mission is to provide monetary contributions to local
Bost has greatly evolved since the original Bost School’s
suicide awareness and intervention organizations in Fort Smith
purpose of providing education to school-age children, to our
dedicated to improving suicide awareness, intervention, and
current multitude of services and programs for individuals of
improved mental health. Bill Neumeier, Jr. was born Dec.
all ages, with a wide range of disabilities and mental health
7, 1963, in Fort Smith to William “Bill” and Jo Ann “Jody”
needs across the state of Arkansas. From getting children
Neumeier. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church.
ready for school, to assisting adults with becoming more
After graduating from Subiaco Academy Bill attended College
independent, Bost grows with those we serve to provide a
of the Ozarks. He was owner/operator of Neumeier’s Rib
lifetime of care while fostering independence, no matter the
Room and Papa’s Pub and Pizzeria, a passionate supporter
level of disability. Employment opportunities are available at
and organizer of the Riverfront Blues Festival and Peacemaker
www.bost.org/careers. #iambost #wearebost
Festival and was a huge supporter of the revitalization of downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas!
LOCAL NONPROFITS
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
LOCAL NONPROFITS
1216 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.4171 casaofsebastiancounty.org
Find them on Facebook 479.926.0939 or 479.652.3553 christmashonors.org
CASA of Sebastian County (Court Appointed Special
Join us for the 15th Annual Christmas Honors event to honor
Advocates) is a non-profit organization utilizing volunteers
our veterans and their families! On Friday, December 1st,
to advocate for children in Sebastian County foster care.
volunteers will work to prepare the 16,000+ wreaths at the
Volunteers are trained to understand the impact of trauma on
Fort Smith Convention Center. No sign up is required – just
children in foster care. By visiting a child in their placement,
come and help! Then join the community at the Fort Smith
they become a consistent person in the child’s journey through
National Cemetery on Saturday, December 2nd for the honor
foster care. Volunteers advocate for services that promote
ceremony and the laying of the wreaths. Every veteran’s
healing, helping children develop resilience without causing
headstone will be honored by laying a green wreath with a
additional trauma. Due to a lack of volunteers, we can only
bright red bow for remembrance of their service and sacrifice.
advocate for 40% of the almost 400 children in foster care.
Let us never forget them. Visit the NEW website for the
Every child deserves a volunteer to advocate for their best
schedule of events and more! ChristmasHonors.org and on
interest and ensure they don’t fall through the cracks of an
Facebook @ChristmasHonors.
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
overloaded foster care system.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
LOCAL NONPROFITS
310 North F Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.1443 fscrm.org Community
Rescue
Mission,
a
faith-based,
1606 South J Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.4031 cjsinc.org
Christian
CJS serves the needs of youth and families who are struggling
organization, has served the homeless community for over 40
to navigate their way through those difficult teen years. With
years. While families live with us in our transitional program,
offices in the counties of Sebastian, Crawford, Logan, Scott,
we provide for all their basic needs and help them find
Polk and Montgomery since 1977, we determine the specific
employment or return to school, encourage them to attend
needs of each individual youth and refer to those services most
counseling and support groups, and provide parenting classes,
appropriate to provide the help they need. CJS services include
financial literacy classes, nutrition classes, job skills, recovery
casework, mentoring, aftercare/re-entry, strengthening families
resources and peer support. We instill hope and empower
program, parenting classes, workforce program, emergency
the lives of families and children in crisis due to homelessness
shelter, classes for life skills, anger management, substance
by providing safe shelter, meals, case management, and
abuse, and social media, mental health assessments and
spiritual enrichment to prepare families to acquire jobs and
therapy, residential care through the Fort Smith Girls Shelter,
live successful, independent, productive lives.
community service program, and electronic monitoring. Please
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
call 479-785-4031 for more information or to make a referral.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
4800 South 46th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.551.2221 fsmah.org
6015 Boys Club Lane, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.646.9519 fsbgc.org At 95-years-old, the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club has learned a thing or two about a thing or two. Our focus is
abandoned and lost animals of Fort Smith. Our goal is to reunite
youth development, and our mission is to provide quality
them with their family or place them in a loving home. You can
programming to every child in our community. From the
make a tremendous difference! We need your assistance to pay
new Cox Innovation Lab that recently opened, to Lego
the cost of housing animals after the five-day hold. The City of
Robotics, gardening, and music, our programs are developed
Fort Smith pays for the first five days of care, we then work to
in collaboration with area partners to make sure every child
return animals to their owners, adopt or transport them to our
has every opportunity to build a bright future. The Clubs are
partners. This is an expensive process with the increases in fuel
where kids can make friends, have fun, explore, and learn in
and labor cost. Open daily, we welcome everyone to visit us,
a positive and safe environment. Building great futures starts
see what we are doing, adopt an animal or volunteer!
now. It starts today. And it starts with us.
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
We are committed to providing a haven and the best care for
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
LOCAL NONPROFITS
LOCAL NONPROFITS
401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.2966 fslt.org / Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
5 South 7th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.452.7575 fortsmithsymphony.org Experience wonderful concerts, world-renowned guest artists and terrific music making with the Fort Smith Symphony!
Come downtown for year-round entertainment featuring
This fully professional symphony orchestra, comprised of
comedies to dramas and musicals to mysteries. The Fort Smith
musicians from a seven-state area, presents concerts for the
Little Theatre’s casual, comfortable setting is perfect for date
entire family from film music to the Pops, holiday and the
night, a matinee with mom, or a girls’ night out. Looking for
classics. Concerts are held at the ArcBest Performing Arts
friendship and a chance to learn new skills? Join the fun as
Center. All audience members are invited to after-parties
a volunteer. Building sets, ushering, making coffee, acting
at the Bakery District after every concert. The orchestra also
— there are plenty of jobs to do and friends to be made at
presents a robust educational program that reaches 6,000
FSLT, your all-volunteer community theatre since 1947. And
students annually. The Symphony’s international reputation
remember, a Gift Certificate or 2024 Season Package would
through its commercial recordings brings extremely positive
make a great Christmas gift. Learn more at fslt.org or find us
recognition to the region. Check out the Symphony’s events
on social media. Next Up: A Christmas Carol, Nov. 9-18.
at fortsmithsymphony.org.
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
LOCAL NONPROFITS DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
615 North B Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.0233 goodsamaritanfs.com
417 South 16th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.452.2260 hearttoheartpfcc.org
The Good Samaritan Clinic has been serving the uninsured and
Heart to Heart Pregnancy and Family Care Center has been
underserved in the River Valley since 2003. Our mission is to
serving the River Valley and surrounding areas for 37 years.
provide compassionate, quality healthcare to our neighbors in
We proudly serve women, men, and families with children up
need. We are open Monday – Wednesday, 8a – 6p and Thursday
to the age of three. We provide families with much-needed
8a – 5p, closed Friday – Sunday. In addition to general healthcare,
free monthly supplies such as: diapers, wipes, formula,
we offer vision care, chiropractic care, and counseling services
clothing and so much more. We gratefully accept gently used
(in English and Spanish). After 20 years in our current location,
and new clothing, shoes, blankets, etc. We are also thankful
we will relocate to 1400 Zero Street in the fall of 2024. We are
for the faithful, financial support of our donors. If you are
excited and look forward to serving even more patients in our
interested in connecting with Heart to Heart as a client,
new location! Don’t neglect your health just because you are
volunteer, or supporter, please reach out to us at 479-452-
uninsured or underinsured. Contact us today at 479-783-0233
2260. Together with our great community, we are making a
or goodsamaritanfs.com. #wearegoodsam, are you?
difference, one heartbeat at a time.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
LOCAL NONPROFITS DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
P.O. Box 11828, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.970.8351 / manesandmiracles1@gmail.com manesandmiracles.org
1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.2273 projectcompassioninc.com
Manes & Miracles offers physical, occupational, and speech-
Today, we continue Gloria White’s vision to bring joy,
language therapy services using horses as a treatment tool. This
companionship, and enhanced quality of life to nursing home
practice is called hippotherapy because "hippo" in Greek means
residents. Our volunteers visit, befriend, and engage. The bond
horse. The treatment strategy utilizes equine movement as
between residents and volunteers is strong and builds over
part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional
time. Residents enjoy receiving cards, laughing, and dancing
outcomes. Using equine-assisted therapy has a wide variety of
with our “Bordertown Belles,” musicians, and GrandFriends.
benefits including increasing motivation and participation in
Fidgeteers provide colorful blankets with embellishments to
sessions, providing multi-dimensional movement to aid motor
keep idle hands busy and comfort those who suffer from
skills, and boosting overall self-confidence. As a nonprofit, we rely
dementia. Our Hearts of Gold program provides gifts of
heavily on the generosity of caring individuals and organizations.
clothing at Christmastime to residents, particularly those
Check out our Facebook page for more information about our
without family visitors. We are a United Way of Fort Smith
#GivingTuesday fundraiser on November 28. Donations are tax
agency serving 26 long-term care and senior living facilities.
deductible. We greatly appreciate your support and generosity!
Visit us online to donate, volunteer, and get involved!
LOCAL NONPROFITS
12 Locations to Serve You 479.431.2050 rvpcs.org
In 1978, the Cancer Support Foundation was organized to
River Valley Primary Care Services is a nonprofit, Federally
provide non-medical services, counseling, transportation, and
Funded Health Center organization with clinic locations in
support for cancer patients and their families. We offer an array
Ratcliff, three in Fort Smith, Mulberry, Mountainburg, Lamar,
of programs and services including wigs, hats, turbans, and
Waldron, Clarksville, Lavaca, Bonanza, and Coal Hill, Arkansas.
other hair-loss needs, post mastectomy supplies, transportation
RVPCS has assembled a team of excellent doctors, dentists, and
assistance to and from treatment, emotional support groups led
healthcare professionals to create an inviting health care home
by licensed facilitators, nutritional supplements, nutrition classes,
where hopes and dreams of good health can soar. RVPCS is
education sessions and cancer screenings, medical equipment
based on the commitment to provide quality comprehensive
and supplies, low-impact exercise classes, emergency financial
and preventative health care that is affordable to all people in
assistance, one-on-one patient navigation, and so much more!
Arkansas, including those with insurance, those without, and
Visit us online or call today to see how you can get involved!
those that are underinsured. RVPCS has created a health care home with dignity and respect for the health and well-being of all individuals that we serve.
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
3324 South M Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.6302 / 800.262.9917 reynoldscancersupporthouse.org
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
LOCAL NONPROFITS
5904 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.646.2819 fsboyshome.org
LOCAL NONPROFITS
1333 Arapaho Avenue, Suite A Springdale, Arkansas 479.756.5600 rmhcofarkoma.org
The Boys Home, a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit organization, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma aims to support
is a long-term residential treatment program for boys, ages
the health and well-being of children and families in Western
13 to 18, in the foster care system. Children are referred
Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. At RMHC, it is our goal to
by The Department of Human Services. Maximum capacity
create programs that provide a home-away-from-home for
is thirteen, but over the last eight years more than 200
families caring for their sick children. We aim to keep families
boys have called it home. Residents are given mental and
comfortable by providing everything they would need at their
physical health treatment if needed, educational tutoring,
own house – meals, shampoo, laundry detergent, snacks,
and instruction for modifying any negative behaviors. The
hygiene products, and more. Help RMHC lift burdens off of
Boys Home staff is committed to being a positive role model
families in a vulnerable time by giving up to give back. Give up a
for the youth in our care and making their lives as normal
coffee, movie ticket, or shopping trip once a month and donate
and productive as possible! Our tax-exempt number for
at https://rmhcofarkoma.harnessgiving.org/giveup-giveback.
donations is 510-7284.
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
LOCAL NONPROFITS
5521 Ellsworth Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.353.0767 thecallinarkansas.org
3304 South M Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.4677 kistlercenter.org
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
The CALL partners with local families who are interested in foster care or adoption to walk them through the process
The Gregory Kistler Center is based on integrity and quality
of opening their home. With over 540 children and youth in
of care and a dream that began with the Kistler family.
foster care in Crawford and Sebastian Counties, we continue
The growth of the center is a reflection of the caring and
to see some of the highest numbers of kids in care in the
professional staff that provides care to both pediatric
state. Since our founding in 2007, we have opened over
therapy patients and also patients served in our community
3,320 foster and adoptive families which make up 67% of
and throughout the River Valley. The Kistler Center offers
the traditional (non-relative) foster homes statewide. We also
occupational, physical, speech and aquatic therapy to all
partner with those who would like to volunteer their time and
children under the age of 21 and is a certified provider of
talents and we are completely funded through donations. If
the Community Employment Support (CES) waiver program
you are ready to Seek, Serve or Support local families and
and the Arkansas Autism Partnership waiver program. From
children, email Emily Treadaway, County Coordinator at
our clinic therapy services to our in-home waiver services, the
etreadaway@thecallinarkansas.org.
Kistler Center is here for you. Your journey is our journey!
LOCAL NONPROFITS
DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
LOCAL NONPROFITS DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
120 North 13th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.1311 unitedwayfortsmith.org
4701 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.0152 waballet.org
The United Way of Fort Smith Area is a nonprofit organization
Western Arkansas Ballet announces the 38th annual
dedicated to helping local communities thrive. By partnering
production of The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 16,
with a wide range of organizations, the United Way provides
7pm, Sunday, December 17, 2pm, at the ArcBest Performing
critical resources to those in need. Their focus areas include
Arts Center in Fort Smith. Tickets are available for purchase
health, education, financial stability, and crisis support services,
beginning November 6, $30/child, $20/ adult and students
with the goal of improving the lives of people throughout their
with valid ID. Join the Sugar Plum Fairy for her annual
six-county area. With a strong commitment to accountability and
Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Sunday on November 19, 2pm, at the
transparency, the United Way ensures that 100% of donations
Riverfront Glass Pavilion, 100 North B Street, in Fort Smith.
are used effectively and efficiently. From supporting after-school
Join your favorite Nutcracker characters for a delightful
programs to providing access to workforce training for persons
afternoon of dancing, crafts, fun, and goodies! Adult tickets
with disabilities, the impact of the United Way can be seen in
include refreshments. Tickets are $30/child and $20/adult
every corner of the community.
and are on sale now at www.waballet.org.