New Beginnings
After three decades, the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has rebranded to become EverHope, a name that reflects not only its ideals, but its work statewide. The nonprofit has supported more than 13,300 kids in its history and will expand its offerings in four focus areas it calls “Threads of Hope” — strengthen, support, shelter and stabilize — in order to “[build] a fabric of care” through long-term wraparound support systems.
“EverHope is more than a name; it’s a promise. A promise that every child in Arkansas deserves not just safety, but enduring hope and a future filled with possibility,” CEO Rebekah Mitchell says. “For more than 30 years, we’ve stood beside children in crisis, and today that commitment grows even stronger as we expand our services and deepen our mission to provide stability, support and healing that lasts.”
Expect to see more of EverHope in central Arkansas, and learn more at everhope.org.
Gifts & Grants
Arkansas Children’s received a $50 million gift — its largest single philanthropic gift to date — from “philanthropist, entrepreneur and child health advocate” B. Thomas Golisano to support the pediatric care system’s expansion project and other needs. In honor of his gift, the Little Rock campus will be named the Arkansas Children’s Golisano Campus.
Immerse Arkansas received $130,000 from the upscale resale store Live Thankfully, which partners with the nonprofit to support its mission to help youth in crisis.
UAMS received a five-year $3.18 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create the REAL (respect, empowerment, awareness, life) Deal program fostering communication skills in students.
High Praise
Bob Gee recently received the Clinton Presidential Center’s Jesse Gatewood Volunteer of the Year Award. The 92-year-old local has spent more than 20 years at both the Clinton Center and the Clinton School of Public Service through more than 20,000 hours of volunteer service and leading nearly 1,800 tours of the presidential library. President Bill Clinton presented the award at the Clinton Center’s holiday party.
Big Moves
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation appointed Cory Anderson as its new CEO.
The Doula Alliance of Arkansas, which is in the process of acquiring a federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation, named Liyah Wasson as its new executive director.
Alzheimer’s Arkansas added Todd Whatley to its board of directors.
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund added five new board members: Aaron Brooks, KC Capers, Jason Hansen, Patrick Presley and Christy Valentine.
Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana added five new board members: Dr. Caroline Crocker, Lori Grunwald, Mandy Richardson, Stephanie Shine and Melissa Udouj.