The Refuge: Addressing the urgent need for family shelter in Faulkner County

The Refuge by Conway Ministry Center logo

In 2023, the Faulkner County Homeless Coalition counted 843 children without shelter—a heartbreaking reality that highlights a critical gap in services for families experiencing homelessness in our community. While there are a limited number of emergency beds available for children in Little Rock, Faulkner County currently has none.

Although Conway has a handful of family rooms designated for transitional housing, there are no emergency beds for children in crisis. The City of Conway is planning to open a new emergency shelter; however, current program guidelines do not allow families with children to stay there. City Council members have expressed their hope that the Conway Ministry Center will step in to meet this pressing need by creating a family-focused shelter.

Introducing The Refuge

The Refuge is a vision born out of compassion and urgency: a place where children and parents can find immediate safety, stability, and hope. This shelter will provide more than just a bed. Families will have access to wraparound support services designed to address the challenges that come with homelessness and poverty, including:

• Life Skills & Educational Classes

• Nutritious Meals

• Childcare Services

• Healthcare Resources

  
  

The Refuge also plans to serve individuals discharged from hospitals who are unable to care for themselves, with separate dorms, entrances, and specialized case management services tailored to their specific needs.

A Message of Faith and Hope

Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities ahead, Spring Hunter, Executive Director of the Conway Ministry Center, shared:

“When I consider the past three years, I am in awe of the breadth of God’s sovereignty and provision… We have seen and continue to see record numbers of families experiencing homelessness. But in this season, this community has risen from the ashes of pandemic to love, serve, give, and trust. Doors have opened for us to provide shelter in new ways. A path has cleared to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our county.”

Her words capture both the gravity of the crisis and the hope that The Refuge represents for families in Faulkner County.

A Community-Wide Effort

The Refuge will rely on strong partnerships with local churches, organizations, and volunteers to make this vision a reality. Community involvement is at the heart of this effort. As the Ministry Center explains, “We believe that God has prepared us in advance through relationships with the Church and our community to fully embrace this calling. We believe the time is now.”

How You Can Help

There are several ways community members can get involved and support The Refuge:

• Volunteer – Sign up at conwayministrycenter.org.

• Donate – Every contribution, no matter the size, helps create change in Faulkner County.

• Support Families in Crisis – Partner with The Refuge to provide ongoing support during and after families’ stay.

  
  

A Call to Action

The need is urgent, and the opportunity to change lives is here. With more than 800 children in Faulkner County left without shelter last year, The Refuge represents a critical lifeline. Together, the community can ensure that no child is left without safety, comfort, and hope for tomorrow.