Partner Spotlight: Conway Ministry Center – Meeting needs, Restoring hope

Partner Spotlight: Conway Ministry Center – Meeting needs, Restoring hope

Partner programs greatly enhance the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by expanding service offerings, maximizing resources, and ensuring a customer-centered approach. WIOA emphasizes collaboration and coordination with community organizations to provide comprehensive support for both job seekers and employers. Together, WIOA and its partners create a stronger, more effective workforce development system.

Conway Ministry Center Logo

One such partner is the Conway Ministry Center, an organization dedicated to building bridges between individuals experiencing the immediate effects of poverty and homelessness and the resources—both physical and spiritual—needed to create lasting transformation. Guided by their core values, the Conway Ministry Center strives to treat every person with respect and dignity, operate with compassion, prioritize spiritual health, and take a leadership role in strengthening the communities they serve.

The Conway Ministry Center's Restore Program offers one-on-one case management, rent and utility assistance, and budget planning to help individuals and families stabilize and rebuild their lives.

The Rapid Rehousing Program provides assessments, housing research, financial assistance, and placement for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The Storehouse is a client-choice food and hygiene pantry offering nonperishables, fresh produce, meat, prepared foods, and personal care items to those facing food insecurity.

The Homeless Hub supplies essential services such as food, clothing, hygiene items, drinking water, outdoor living supplies, and access to bathrooms and electrical outlets.

The collaboration between Conway Ministry Center and the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD)/Workforce Development team demonstrates the power of partnership.

“It’s difficult to quantify just how much the CAPDD/Workforce Development team has helped us over the years. Their ability to bring multiple service providers together in one room has created invaluable opportunities for collaboration and community impact. By fostering these connections, they help ensure that each agency understands how we can best support one another—and ultimately, how we can better serve the people who rely on us. Beyond simply keeping us informed about local events and resources, the team at CAPDD/Workforce Development goes a step further. They don’t just coordinate; they participate. They show up, lock arms with us, and serve side by side as we care for families in need. Their partnership is a true gift to our organization and to the community we all serve.”– Sarah Winston, Executive Director, Conway Ministry Center

Through this partnership, the Conway Ministry Center continues to embody its mission of “helping the hurting” while playing a vital role in the region’s workforce development ecosystem.