LOCAL NONPROFITS DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
Local NonProfits
The River Valley is home to many nonprofit organizations doing incredible work. Our 3rd annual Do South® Guide to Local Nonprofits serves to further each of their missions and allows you to discover how you can get involved and commit your support to organizations near and dear to your heart.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
Bost has evolved tremendously since the original Bost School’s
In 1997, the Fort Smith Children’s Shelter welcomed its first
purpose of providing education to school age children, to our
5 children. Twenty-four years later, the FSCS has provided
current multitude of services and programs for individuals of all
a safe haven to over 4,300 abused and neglected children
ages, with a wide range of disabilities and mental health needs.
and young adults in foster care. Our mission is to be a safe
From getting children ready for school, to assisting adults with
and stable home that provides long-term, evidence-based,
becoming more independent, Bost is here when you need us.
trauma-informed, resident-centered and family-focused care
Services are customizable to meet the ever-growing needs of
to youth in foster care who exhibit emotional and behavioral
those in our care. All Bost facilities are following guidelines
challenges due to neglect and/or abuse. Their needs for food,
and recommendations to ensure the health and well-being
clothing, shelter, transportation, tutoring, life skills, and social
of those we serve. Employment opportunities are available at
opportunities are provided. In addition, they receive therapy
www.bost.org/careers. #iambost #wearebost
and emotional support to grow, heal, and transition into a traditional home environment. Please support our children by making a financial donation to the Children’s Shelter.
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479.478.5600 bost.org
3015 South 14th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.0018 fschildrensshelter.org
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LOCAL NONPROFITS
LOCAL NONPROFITS
479.926.0939 or 479.652.3553 christmashonors.org
Regional Office: 1606 South J Street Fort Smith, Arkansas Regional Phone: 479.785.4031 cjsinc.org
Christmas Honors is back for 2021! On December 1 we have our Wreath Workshop and then on December 4 the
Our mission is to serve the needs of youth and their families
Christmas Honors Ceremony and Laying of Wreaths. Our
by providing community-based intervention and advocacy
mission is to place green wreaths with beautiful red bows
services to reduce family conflict, promote family reunification,
upon every single gravesite at the Fort Smith National
prevent juvenile delinquency and entry or further advancement
Cemetery. We’ll pay tribute to Veterans, past and present,
into the juvenile justice system. We seek to redirect the lives of
and to their families who shared them! All 16,500 gravesites
youth and families, empowering youth to become successful
will be decorated with respect and remembrance for their
and productive adults. Referrals come from the court system,
service and sacrifice. Remember, a Veteran’s greatest fear is
law enforcement agencies, school personnel, health care
not of dying, but of being forgotten. Let us NEVER forget
agencies, churches, family members or by youth in person.
them! For more information, please contact us via phone,
Licensed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services as a
visit us online or Facebook.
licensed Child Placement Agency and as a licensed Emergency Residential Child Care Facility, we proudly serve Sebastian, Crawford, Logan, Montgomery, Scott, and Polk counties.
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LOCAL NONPROFITS
1617 S. Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.2303 cscdc.net
4905 North O Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.7093 fsbgc.org
Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council is a community action agency that makes improvements in the
Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs has served our area since
lives of low-income individuals and families in the River Valley
1928, enhancing the quality of life for the youth in our
area, so that a greater level of self-sufficient living can be
community. Our organization consists of four Club sites
achieved. Our assistance programs include home ownership
(Jeffrey, Evans, Stephens, Goldtrap), offering after-school
assistance and construction, the Community Dental Clinic,
and summer programs for ages 6-18. Club hours are 3pm
utility assistance, home weatherization, the River Valley
until 7pm. Monday thru Friday during school months and
Regional Food Bank, childcare food program, a food pantry,
Monday through Friday 8am until 5pm during the summer.
and a social services program which offers job skills training
Free snacks and meals are provided year-round! Programs
and certifications. To Donate or to learn more about us, please
include mentoring, sports, arts, music, education, field
go to CSCDC.net, or write to CSCDC, 1617 S. Zero St., P.O.
trips, social recreation, Tech lab, and more. We even have
Box 180070, Fort Smith, AR 72918.
a FSBGC shuttle program to transport students from several
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school sites to the Clubs daily!
LOCAL NONPROFITS
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LOCAL NONPROFITS DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.784.2787 fsram.org
1421 South Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.242.3163 fschildrensshelter.org/get-real-24
The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (RAM) is a 73-year-old
GetREAL24 is Fort Smith Children’s Shelter’s independent
nonprofit with a mission to foster art appreciation. RAM offers
living program for youth in foster care ages 18 and older.
free entry to its exhibitions and free art education classes for
We aim to give youth “aging out” of care a place to live
all ages. These programs are possible because of support from
independently among their peers while obtaining life skills
individuals through RAM memberships and donations, and
necessary to break the cycle of dysfunction and become
sponsorships by businesses. Art – viewing, discussion, and
successful, contributing members of society. We seek
creation – is good for your physical and mental health. Thank
support from the community through volunteers who serve
you for considering a RAM membership or donation today
as sponsor families or mentors—helping create positive
to help strengthen our region’s only art museum that meets
relationships and a social safety net of support. Help is also
national museum standards. Donations may be made online
needed from volunteers with special skills or talents that
at fsram.org/support, mailed, or best yet, given on your next
could be taught in a life skills class. In addition, internships,
visit. New adventures are always just around the corner with the
shadowing, job training and career opportunities from the
community’s support!
community are also needed.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
421 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.2766 habitatfs.org
Our mission is to improve the health in our region by providing
By shopping at your local Restore, you’re helping to build
access to compassionate, quality healthcare and we have
homes in our community for your neighbors in need. Habitat
proudly served the uninsured and underinsured in the River
for Humanity has placed over 100 families in new homes in
Valley area for over eighteen years. We provide medical and
the River Valley and money spent in our Restore will help us
vision care, limited dental care and counseling services for
continue that mission. These new homes and families that
adult patients, and children by appointment (the clinic is closed
inhabit them become integral parts of our communities by
on Fridays). Walk-in patients are seen for basic medical care
supplying tax dollars, stabilizing neighborhoods, and giving
and we offer extended hours every Tuesday until 8pm. Visit us
families a sense of pride. You can also support our affiliate
online or call 479.783.0233. As a 501c3 charitable clinic, one
by donating used appliances, building supplies, etc., to the
hundred percent of our funds stay local. You may not need
Restore. Help us to continue helping others!
us, but we are certain you know someone who does. Call us today! #iamgoodsam Are you?
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615 North B Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.0233 goodsamaritanfs.com
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LOCAL NONPROFITS
417 South 16th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.434.2365 479.452.2260 heart2heartpsc.org
LOCAL NONPROFITS
2713 S. 74th Street, Suite 204 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.1002 hamiltoncca.org Child Abuse. The words alone are hard to hear. And when a child has been abused, it is even harder to know
Heart to Heart Pregnancy and Family Care Center, formerly
where to turn for help, guidance, and understanding. The
Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center, has served the
Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy has the experience
River Valley and surrounding areas for over 35 years. This
to help families navigate a complex system while staying
year has been a year of great growth. In the month of June,
focused on what matters most: child safety and well-being.
we added an exciting new service for expectant women, free
Our team of dedicated professionals are here to pave the
limited ultrasounds! We have partnered with Dr. Riche of
way to health, safety, and healing for victims of abuse and
the Mercy McAuley Clinic which allows our clients to begin
their non-offending family members. Our services include
prenatal appointments even sooner. Our free services include
advocacy, forensic interviews, sexual assault medical exams,
pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, monthly baby supply
mental health therapy and prevention education. If you
closet, parenting classes, and a maternity closet. Heart to Heart
suspect child abuse, do not hesitate to call 1-800-SAVE A
is making a difference one heartbeat at a time. Donations are
CHILD. Be the voice.
tax deductible and always appreciated!
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P.O. Box 11828, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.970.8351 manesandmiracles.org
1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.2273 projectcompassioninc.com
Manes & Miracles offers equine-assisted therapy to children
We are a Fort Smith based nonprofit founded in 1972 by the
with special needs. Our vision is to expand services to
late Gloria White. Her mission to bring joy, companionship,
Veterans. With the help of a horse and certified physical,
and enhanced quality of life to nursing home residents
occupational and speech therapists, we provide a unique
remains the heartbeat of our organization. Volunteers visit
treatment tool called hippotherapy. Mother Lawanda reports
one-to-one with residents, accompany them to activities,
her daughter Angel couldn’t even hold her head up when
and encourage maintaining interest in people and events.
she started, now she is walking hundreds of steps in a gait
We offer music, pet therapy, fidget blankets, calls, and cards
trainer. As a nonprofit, we rely heavily on the generosity of
throughout the year. Our Hearts of Gold program provides
caring individuals and organizations. Donations provide care
Christmas gifts of warm clothing to residents without friends
for therapy horses and help local children receive services.
and family. We are a United Way of Fort Smith agency serving
#GivingTuesday Facebook fundraiser is November 30 and
26 long-term care facilities. We partner with businesses,
please remember us for year-end giving. Donations are tax
schools, churches, and civic organizations. Visit our website
deductible. Thank you for your kind heart.
to donate, volunteer, and get connected!
LOCAL NONPROFITS
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LOCAL NONPROFITS
1617 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.0582 rvrfoodbank.org
5521 Ellsworth Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.353.0767 thecallinarkansas.org
The River Valley Regional Food Bank acquires and distributes
The CALL works with local churches to recruit, train and support
food from local and national food producers and grocers, as
foster and adoptive parents to provide homes for the over 630
well as local food drives. We distribute that food to 166 partner
children and youth in foster care in Crawford and Sebastian
agencies in eight counties in the River Valley. We feed 94,000
Counties. Since our founding in 2007, we have opened over
low- to moderate-income residents a month and distribute 22
2,600 foster and adoptive families and those families have
million pounds of food annually. In the River Valley, 1 in 6
cared for 24,545 children and youth statewide. Check out
people are food insecure, including 1 in 4 children. Those we
our Facebook page or website for more details, and to see
serve depend on us to feed their families. Without our services,
dates and locations of upcoming events. We are completely
many families would go hungry. This holiday season, thanks to
funded through donations of time, money, and in-kind items.
our partnership with Feeding America, $1 provides 20 meals to
If you’d like to help us serve the children and youth in our area,
families in need. To donate, visit rvrfoodbank.org.
email Emily Treadaway, County Coordinator at etreadaway@
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thecallinarkansas.org.
LOCAL NONPROFITS
3304 South M Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.4677 kistlercenter.org The founding of The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center was based on integrity and generosity – the dream of a housewife ago, has grown to become a respected outpatient treatment center known throughout the region. The Kistler Center offers occupational, physical, speech-language, and aquatic therapy to children. We are a certified provider for the Autism Waiver program for children 18 months to 5 years, an EPSDT autism provider, and a certified provider for children and adults in the Community Employment Support Waiver program. From out-patient therapy services to in-home waiver services, the Kistler Center is here for you. Your journey is our journey.
We are a nonprofit community behavioral health center serving Western Arkansas. We provide care for children, adolescents, and adults in the treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, and substance use disorders. Our staff includes licensed counselors, clinical social workers, psychologists, APRNs, and psychiatrists who are educated and specialize in the treatment of mental and substance use disorders. Utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach, we care for a multitude of needs. Services include but are not limited to general stress/ anxiety, depression, family and group therapy, substance use, chronic behavioral health issues, medication management, and psychological testing. Our services are designed to enhance quality of life, reduce symptoms, and improve functioning.
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and fireman. What was born out of one family’s need, 43 years
Fort Smith, Van Buren, Ozark, Booneville, Paris, Waldron, Mena Emergancy After Hours Crisis Line: 1.800.542.1031 Non-Emergency Warm Line: 479.452.6655 wacgc.org
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LOCAL NONPROFITS