Goodness Village Stays Close to Home

At five months pregnant, Jada Jackson’s swollen feet and vision issues seemed like nothing more than unpleasant pregnancy symptoms to add to the list.

“Right before I left [the hospital], I don’t know what made them do it, but they decided to draw some blood for further testing,” Jackson says. “When my bloodwork came back, they told me they would like to keep me overnight because they said my white blood cell count was extremely elevated.”

Because there was no sign of infection that would cause the abnormality, she was sent to a hematologist for even more tests.

A few days later, while at work, Jackson received the devastating phone call informing her she had leukemia.

“I was like, ‘How am I going to get through this?’” she says. “Carrying the baby was really the only thing on my mind. I was just in a period of shock, and it was hard to even react at the time.”

They told her to prepare for admission and a week-long stay. A week turned into two months. They started treatment immediately, but her pregnancy limited what treatments they could perform.

“They wanted me to cross the 30-week mark before delivering so he would have a better chance of thriving,” Jackson says.

Baby Nyair was born prematurely at 32 weeks on Aug. 8, 2023.

What should have been a time of joy and bonding between mother and son became a time of separation and grueling procedures, like the bone marrow transplant Jackson received with her sister Shelby as the donor.

That’s where Goodness Village stepped in, offering a fully furnished apartment in town where she, Nyair and Shelby could stay between treatments.

“When I learned they would let my son stay with me, it was an automatic yes,” Jackson says. “It felt freer than it did at the hospital because I had to ask permission for him to even come on the floor, and it was only a set number of hours that he was allowed to visit.”

Goodness Village Executive Director Kim Burket says keeping families together is one way the nonprofit is set apart from similar organizations.

“At such a vulnerable time, many are away from their families,” Burket says. “Imagine how that would feel to have your kids at home and be forced to leave your job and life as you know it. Being able to provide that home where they can keep their families together and bring their whole family here is a big part of our mission.”

Formerly known as Home Away From Home, the organization began in 1995 with a single apartment for patients receiving medical treatment nearby. In March 2020, it transitioned to an independent 501(c)(3) and became Goodness Village. It now maintains 20 apartments at the Park Avenue Lofts and the Palisades at Chenal Valley with plans to add more.

Apartments are deeply discounted for residents, costing an average of $38 per night vs. the average Little Rock hotel cost of $125. And with an average stay of 36 nights, this saved patients and caregivers more than $527,500 in lodging costs over the past year alone.

Adam Head, CARTI president and CEO, is a Goodness Village community partner and notes its important role in CARTI’s approach to “ensuring the accessibility of care and a supportive environment.”

“Goodness Village served as a home away from home for more than 150 patients last year, offering comfort and a sense of community,” Head says. “We see firsthand the positive impact made in the healing process.”

Burket’s current focus is visibility.

“If we have the opportunity and capacity to get out into the community to share what we’re doing, people are going to want to help our mission because everyone’s been touched by a medical situation in some way,” she says. “Whether it’s volunteering, financial support or new ideas, there are several ways to participate and get engaged.”

This fall, the nonprofit marked its inaugural Day of Goodness by celebrating patient stories and community partnerships, both past and potential. The team spent the day raising awareness and speaking with businesses, churches and other organizations about its needs and goals, while also conducting apartment tours so potential donors could see what their money funds.

“We filled up all 250 spots, and we gained 47 new sponsors and donors,” Burket says. “We had a goal to raise $30,000, and we blew it out of the water by raising $150,000. We were thankful for such a great event.”

Burket calls this work “planting seeds,” and by all accounts, it was a success that translates directly into helping its residents.

Today, Jada Jackson is in remission, and her son recently celebrated his first birthday. But she will never forget Goodness Village for being a light during a dark time.

“They would leave little gifts and cards at the apartment for me to return to, and on holidays, they would give me little gift baskets,” Jackson says. “They would text and check on me and even ask if I wanted them to come visit me at the hospital. They would fix meals and just make me feel really at home and comfortable. They were just good people.”

For volunteer Regina Graham, the mission is clear.

“Making the guests feel loved and welcomed here when they are going through a lot of heartache, and showing kindness and goodness to people, that’s the easiest thing we can do,” she says. “I think that’s why we have the name Goodness Village.”

Learn more at goodnessvillage.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY
JASON MASTERS
SHOT ON LOCATION AT
THE PALISADES AT CHENAL VALLEY
BLANKET
COBBLESTONE & VINE