Arkansas and the United States have a vast array of those who are currently experiencing homelessness. Wikipedia, which explains homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, states that one of every 30 children in America, or 2.5 million, are homeless. Arkansas ranks 47th in childhood homelessness, with 50th being the worst. The situation is so serious that Arkansas now has a law that each school district in the state must have a homeless liaison.
There are numerous causes of homelessness, including barriers to employment such as lack of a high school diploma, illiteracy, low English proficiency, and a history of unstable employment. Among other causes are a lack of affordable housing, a lack of resources or support networks, and foreclosures or evictions. According to an in-depth report by KATV, nearly half of foster children become homeless when they are released from foster care at age 18. Often these youngsters are not financially or emotionally prepared to adequately support themselves.
Safe Haven Shelter for Women and Children board member Penny Thornton relates her local experience with homelessness in Hot Springs.
"As president of the board of United Way in 2010, I was giving a presentation on donation opportunities at a major company in the community. After the presentation, a woman stayed behind to speak to me. She told me that no one in the company was aware that she and her three children were living in her car. She explained that when the recession began, the company cut the hours of a number of employees, and she could no longer afford housing. She parked her car in different places each night, and she and the children cleaned up for school and work in public restrooms. The woman was clean and neat, and no one would ever have guessed that she was homeless. I had to choke back tears, and after many inquiries I discovered that a coalition of caring individuals were working on establishing a shelter for women and their children. I quickly joined that coalition and after a great deal of hard work and the generous support of individuals, churches, organizations and business, Safe Haven opened its doors to the homeless women and children in our community."
Safe Haven Shelter for Women and Children has now been housing women and their children for two years. During that time they have broken the cycle of poverty and homelessness in over 200 women and children. These women have attained the education and skills necessary to seek and find employment and housing in Hot Springs. While at the shelter their children have been able to access educational tools necessary to perform well in school. "Sometimes all a child needs to do better in school is three good meals a day," stated director Dody Roberts.
Safe Haven is faith based and depends on donations to maintain the operation of the shelter. To make a donation or to volunteer, call 501-276-7750. The shelter also maintains a thrift store in the South Park Shopping Center, across the parking lot from Weldon's Meat Market.
Local on 03/31/2015