100 Families Initiative Arkansas

06/12/2026

Fathers play a vital role in the lives of children, providing support, stability, encouragement, and connection. Thank you to our amazing panel in Union County who came together to discuss this!

When a community coordinates its services for families in crisis, fathers are better equipped to be present, engaged, and successful in the lives of their children.

06/11/2026

Sometimes the first challenge a family shares isn't the whole story. That's why 100 Families Initiative coordinators take time to listen, ask questions, and understand the bigger picture.

A parent may say they can't afford rent, but behind that crisis could be domestic violence, a safety concern, involvement with child welfare, a lack of transportation, or other barriers that aren't immediately visible.

By gathering the right information, they can connect participants to the most appropriate resources and build a support team that addresses the root causes of the crisis—not just the symptoms.

06/09/2026

"We are far better together."

A few weeks ago, more than 300 leaders from local nonprofits, faith communities, state government, and businesses gathered to launch the Human Flourishing Initiative in Williamson County, Tennessee.

As communities across Tennessee continue the work through collective impact and local partnerships, we're excited to see the momentum grow and the vision take shape.

Human Flourishing Initiative of Williamson County TN Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative

06/08/2026

Our Restore Hope team has been honored to watch this movement grow across Tennessee from the Williamson County launch just a few weeks ago to the Collective Impact Meetings taking place this week in Knox and Shelby Counties.

Hope is the movement. Communities are leading the way. The model works, and we can't wait to see what happens next.

Go follow the pages for the Human Flourishing Initiatives and watch what happens.

Human Flourishing Initiative of Williamson County Human Flourishing Initiative of Knox County Human Flourishing Initiative of Shelby County Jeff Piker Kristi Watts Putnam Heather Ayers Edwards

06/05/2026

For Heather, what started as a desire to help adults improve their literacy skills ultimately revealed a larger truth: the challenges people face rarely occur in isolation, and the most effective solutions don't either.

We are so grateful for the insight and efforts of Community Success Manager, Heather Ayers Edwards. Read more about her path to involvement with the 100 Families Initiative and Restore Hope.

When Heather Edwards began leading the Literacy Council of Western Arkansas, she expected to spend her days helping adults strengthen literacy and life skills t

06/04/2026

Through recovery, education, employment, and determination, Ashley transformed her future and regained full custody of her daughter. Today, she celebrates more than 14 months of sobriety, stable employment, and a future filled with hope. ❤️

Read her story:

There was a time when everything in Ashley Clayton’s life felt like it was slipping through her hands.Addiction had taken hold. One year turned into a blur of i

06/03/2026

Iowa Coordinator Meeting!

It's always exciting when members of our Arkansas team get the opportunity to spend time with our Iowa friends and partners. Seeing the passion, collaboration, and vision in the room was inspiring.

These coordinators' commitment to strengthening families, building partnerships, and creating lasting solutions will have a tremendous impact on the communities they serve.

We're grateful to be on this journey together and can't wait to see all that's ahead for Iowa!

Thrive Iowa Buena Vista County Thrive Iowa of Warren and Madison Counties Thrive Iowa Black Hawk County Thrive Iowa Webster County Thrive Iowa of Lee, Van Buren, and Henry Counties Thrive Iowa Cass County

06/03/2026

"There's a space for everybody if they're just willing to look and see where they can help."

From providing meals and transportation to supporting reunifying families and raising awareness, every act of support helps strengthen the network of care surrounding children and families.

Read more: Foster Care Month: A Call to Action in Greene County
https://smartjustice.org/topic-areas/child-welfare/foster-care-month-a-call-to-action-in-greene-county

100 Families Initiative of Greene County

Foster Care Month is more than a moment of recognition—it’s a call to action. At its core is a simple but urgent goal: that communities would become aware of th

06/01/2026

When people understand the realities facing children in care, foster families, and biological parents, they begin to see where they fit into the solution.

Panelists at a local alliance meeting pointed to ongoing gaps in housing, transportation, and available foster homes. In some cases, children must be placed far from their home communities due to a lack of local options—disrupting school, relationships, and stability.

In response to this growing need, Every Child Arkansas is focusing on recruitment particularly among healthcare workers and teachers. These are individuals who are already connected to children and equipped with skills that translate naturally into foster care, from behavioral support to basic medical training.

As Outreach Coordinator Kylee Jordan explained, “The one thing that we're focusing on right now is getting into schools and healthcare organizations businesses to help us recruit and bring awareness to foster care as probably a lot of y'all know teachers do make some of the best foster parents.”

That awareness doesn’t just lead to more foster homes. It activates a broader network of support.

Outreach ECA 100 Families Initiative of Greene County

05/29/2026

At the May Faith-Based Initiatives meeting, leaders gathered to explore how faith-based organizations can play a vital role in strengthening families and expanding support systems. Special thanks to Jay and Megan Strydom for sharing about LifeWise Academy and Biblical Business Training, offering practical ways to engage students and equip individuals with purpose-driven skills.

When communities come together with a shared vision, real impact happens. Stronger families, stronger systems, stronger communities—together.

Morgan Warbington