In December of 2024, School Districts in the Toadsuck Service Area* reported 2,103 homeless children in their schools.
While there are a few emergency shelters available for children in Little Rock, there are zero in Faulkner County. The City of Conway opened an emergency shelter in 2024, but will not provide shelter for families with children.
*Service area includes Faulkner, Perry, and Conway Counties.
family Rehousing Stories
Meet Brittney
“I’m a 31-year-old mother to five beautiful children. I have struggled most of my adult life with addiction and, as a result, I was living in poverty. In November 2021, my best friend lost her battle with addiction. It hit me hard. I decided it was time to get clean to better my kids’ lives and mine.
The Conway Ministry Center staff were so very kind and welcomed us with open arms. They provided housing for me and my five kids from December 1st to January 13th. That gave me the time I needed to regroup without having to live in my vehicle.
If it wasn’t for this ministry, I don’t know what we would have done. They helped us find a home and, on January 13th, we moved into the most beautiful house we could ever dream of. I’m forever grateful for Conway Ministry Center and the good Lord putting such amazing people in our lives.
What I didn’t know at the time was that God wasn’t just rescuing us—He was writing a much bigger story.
In 2023, my family became the very first to enter into the test pilot program of the Refuge. It was a new beginning for us in every sense of the word. The same place that once met me in my lowest moment became the place where I began to see purpose, stability, and hope take root in my life.
Over time, healing turned into growth, and growth turned into calling.
Today, by God’s grace, I now serve as the lead Case Manager at the Refuge.
It’s hard to put into words what it means to walk alongside families who are in the very place I once was—to remind them that their story isn’t over, that there is hope, and that restoration is possible. The same God who carried me through is still moving, still providing, and still transforming lives every single day.
“...He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” — Psalm 40:2
Only God could bring a story full circle like this. What once felt like brokenness has become a testimony of His faithfulness. And now, I get to be a small part of helping others find that same hope.”
You can be a part of helping families find permanent housing.
Ways to Get Involved!
1: come take a tour
2: invite us to come SPEAK AT YOUR CHURCH, ETC.
3: VOLUNTEER
4: SUPPORT FINANCIALLY
5: host a fundraiser
6: check our needs list
For more information, contact Jarett Wilson, Shelter Manager, at Jarett@ministrycenter.org
Will you step in the gap with us?
We have such a beautifully clear biblical model for pursuing children and the sick. We see time and again our Jesus calling little children to his lap, touching the untouchable, and healing the sick. We believe we are called to step into this gap that exists in our community and care for “the least of these.”
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.
–Spring Hunter, Board Chair
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FAQS
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When a homeless patient is ready to leave the hospital, the hospital submits a form to CMC for discharge to our recuperative care shelter. The form includes details about the patient's diagnosis, follow-up care, medications, insurance, care needs, and expected recovery time. Hospitals may commit to a daily fee for recovery days.
CMC reviews the request, interviews the patient, and approves them for a recuperative care bed. During their stay, a CMC case manager works on permanent housing solutions and can extend the stay based on the client’s case. While we don't provide medical care, our overnight staff helps with basic needs and medication regimens.
CMC case managers offer social services, helping clients apply for SNAP, disability, social security, obtain documents, fill prescriptions, connect to ongoing healthcare, and apply for low-income housing and home health services.
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We've learned from shelters in other states that families with kids and recovering individuals can live together successfully. CMC offers special support for each group through personalized case management, addressing their unique needs.
Both recuperative care residents and families need similar services, like:
Medical care
Counseling
Help for addiction
Therapy (physical, occupational, and/or speech)
Budgeting assistance
Cooking and meal planning
Job readiness support
Church connections
By connecting residents of all ages and abilities to these services, we make sure they continue to get care even after leaving the shelter. In shelters that house both recovering individuals and families, we make sure to keep the groups separate while providing the attention they need.
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When someone in recovery gets well enough to leave our care, we'll help them move to the city's emergency shelter quickly. We can't keep beds occupied by those who are fully healed. These beds are needed for others in Central Arkansas. If someone has a permanent disability, they might get more time based on their progress and the case manager's advice. Some people will go to other programs, and some will go home.
Families with kids who need more help will wait for spots in transitional family shelters in Conway and Little Rock. They'll stay until they find their own home or move to other housing programs. Our goal is to guide everyone to the right next steps and keep providing emergency shelter in Central Arkansas.
Sign up for the latest Refuge updates!
We’ll share our shelter progress and current needs with you each month.