About Us

Since 1993, the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has provided a safe place of hope and healing for more than 13,000 children. Prior to the Shelter, kids in crisis were sleeping on the floors of DHS offices because there was nowhere else for them to go. Thanks to the vision of Juvenile Judge Terry Crabtree, who rallied a team of concerned community members to solve this pressing need, the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter was established. In the early days, the Shelter provided 12 beds and was only designed for girls. Now, the Shelter can serve up to 32 children at a time, boys and girls, ages birth to 17, from all across the state of Arkansas. Our programs include:
Residential Services
Education Services - Horizon Academy and Hope Academy
Nutrition and Health Programs
Our programs collectively meet the child’s immediate needs of food, shelter and safety and also provide lasting benefits, through self-esteem building, hope and education.