The 3W Podcast
From the people that bring you 3W Magazine, welcome to the 3W Podcast! We aim to serve our community by promoting awareness of Northwest Arkansas’ thriving philanthropic movement; To provide a guide of dates to help coordinate events so every nonprofit gets the coverage they need and deserve; To give financially to local charities each year.
The 3W Podcast
The 3W Podcast: Linda Phillips
Join me, Kasie Yokley, and my dear friend Linda Phillips as we take a heartfelt stroll down memory lane, celebrating the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter's monumental 30th anniversary. Our podcast episode is brimming with stories of compassion, as we underscore the shelter's vital role in nurturing children through crises. Revel in the behind-the-scenes tales of the nonprofit's Kentucky Derby-inspired fundraising extravaganza, resplendent with festive contests and delectable Derby cuisine. We also tease the delights of the Vintner Dinner event, promising an affair to remember with its superb wine selections.
Linda and I dive into the warmth of our community's embrace, discussing the innovative ways our neighbors contribute to the shelter's mission, from joy-sparking lemonade stands to meaningful birthday donations. Experience the anticipation as we set our sights on a $30,000 goal for this year's Derby fundraiser, a sum destined to unlock enriching summer programs for the children. We reflect on the poignancy of "sweat equity" in philanthropy and the profound impact that personal involvement has on the lives of these precious young ones at Hope Academy.
As we wrap up this episode, we honor the dedication of volunteers who've become the backbone of our support system. Linda and I extend our deepest gratitude to you, our listeners, for joining our cause and helping to weave a brighter future for the children of Northwest Arkansas.
Hey everyone, I'm Casey Yokeleave. Welcome to the 3W podcast, which stands for the who, what, where of Northwest Arkansas. I have one of my dear friends and longtime friends with me, linda Phillips. Thank you for being here today. Thank you for having me. Linda and I have met several different places throughout the journey in 3w, but most recently again on her second round trip tour. She is back in the north swiss arkansas children's shelter. So, yay, yes, okay, excited. But let's talk about how we met. Do you remember how we met years ago? Uh, it's been a long time. So 3w is 16 years old, so we would have met in. We started it in 2008. Okay, I think so. Do you remember? I can remember meeting you? I met you before 3W. Actually, I was at another magazine. That's where I met you.
Speaker 1:And I was at the hospital or at Mercy Hospital, and you were doing what was the home tour, the showcase home thing? Oh my god you were doing. That's how I met you, okay yeah, I didn't remember that.
Speaker 2:Yes, yeah, what was that thing?
Speaker 1:it was the um it's like a home and different designers uh design it.
Speaker 2:Yes. So we partnered with the builder and then he agreed to build the house and, let us enlist, each room had a different interior designer. All worked in the same kind of framework of what the style of the house is Right, they would, but, designing inside of the house, furnish it. We would sell the furnishings, with a percentage going to the hospital, and then we turn the garage into a store yes, and didn't you have like a program, a magazine program you sold or something?
Speaker 1:yes, okay, yeah, yes, that's how I met. You was through that and then that went away. I'm left to go and look, yeah, some things. So that was a long time ago, in the early 2000s, because I moved. Well, I had to be between 06 and 08 because that was my two year window that I moved here before 3W, yeah, so, yeah, that's when I met. It was still in the old hospital downtown, yes, downtown.
Speaker 1:Yes, the moon, saint mary's, right, yes, which I was very confused about, because then mercy opened and I'm like what, what are we calling all these things? Um, and then we started 3w and then we went after you for advertising. Yum, and you've been a win at a later. Guys, yes, we've been a cheerleader with you for, or you've been a cheerleader of 3Ws for, since we started. Our first magazine was in 09. So, yeah, we this is why you are with me on the podcast, so I can have a friend and a cheerleader and just make it as organic as possible. I love it. Oh, thank you. Yeah, okay.
Speaker 1:So then you were at Mercy for a few years. Well, you were there a long time. But with our relationship you were at mercy for a few years and we started or you started, or you and clark started mercy's women with a mission giving society, okay, and then we're trying I know, hang with me here, people and then you jump to the children's shelter. Yes, right, and you've kind of kind of ish been there ever since. Yes, right, so let's talk about the shelter a little bit Like talk about you have a big anniversary yes, 30 years the shelter's been in operation.
Speaker 1:And how long have you been in the current brand new? I still say it's brand new, even though it feels like it is, but it still feels brand new.
Speaker 2:We've been there 12, going on 13 years Okay.
Speaker 1:That's a long time and that is an amazing facility. Yes, you have to. The state gives you x amount of dollars Small x A very small x a year, like less than 20 percent of operating revenues. Yes, I think, and your job is to raise the other 75, 80 percent every year.
Speaker 2:And what are we looking?
Speaker 1:at. Do you financially yes, financially like? How important is it for northwest arkansas to step up and support the northwest arkansas children's shelter for sure I think if you think about um what it takes.
Speaker 2:So the overall budget is about a little over $5.2 million. So the state pays per child per night that they stay in the shelter. There are four other including the shelter. There's four in the state that provide the emergency placement and, as we know, northwest Arkansas is unique. We have great community support. The other shelters in the state really operate around what that state funding is. So the kids come there, they have a bed to sleep in and they get three meals a day. But ours goes above and beyond Right and we choose to not do that. So we have an on-site education program. So the kids come, they're super scared, they've just gotten removed from their home.
Speaker 1:Which that funnels through Bentonville Public? Yeah, right, yes, yes.
Speaker 2:So our school is kind of a satellite campus, but the kids don't have to be the new kid in school. All of the staff is trained in trauma-focused care, so we know what the kids need in order to thrive. So it's a safe setting. They're comfortable. Then we let them be kids Right, so we have all the fun activities that they can.
Speaker 1:But it's even bigger. It's bigger than that it is. They walk through the door scared with literally nothing and they are assessed right away.
Speaker 2:yes, right like medical, dental, emotional, social everything that they need, which is so important not that, um, it's important to have a stop.
Speaker 1:a stop there versus and I'm not trying to slam foster care and right, we have to have every avenue to help children, but I think the first stop is so critical at the children's shelter, instead of waiting in a DHS office, because you can assess if a child has been so severely neglected like living in a doghouse person, never been experienced to a toothbrush, and yet they're five years old we can't just go place them in a home. They need to be assessed at the children's shelter and work through the therapy. I feel it's a 45 day stay, but I could be totally making that up, that could be old numbers because I tend to make things up, um, but you all can work miracles in those 45 days, and I because of the assessment.
Speaker 2:Yes, I agree, I think the foster placement has, if it's um a need, but I don't know how you could train foster families to do everything that our staff is trained to do.
Speaker 1:Right, because they're just normal people. They don't have that and I put myself in the normal person category. Well, I'm sure everybody could say differently, but I don't have that training. I have zero training, except that I'm a mom of two boys and nobody trained me Right.
Speaker 2:That don't, don't, they didn't come them, assess anything that they need. And again you take a kid to a foster family and say but they've got five appointments this week that they need to go to the dentist, to the doctor and therapy or whatever. We can do all of that, collect all their educational records, if there are records to collect. So we're really building this whole package that then can be handed off to a foster family and say here's what we know and here's the tools you need to help this kid be successful.
Speaker 1:And that's what we need. Is we? This child has been dealt a horrible hand Right and we need to set them up for success, and I feel like that's what the children's shelter does, or at least our children's shelter does for sure.
Speaker 2:yes, and I think, yeah, doing that, the the reason the budget is bigger than probably other shelters is we go that step above what's required of us. Um, and again, it's yes, meeting that immediate need, but it's also just letting them be a kid, be a kid have a birthday, have a cake.
Speaker 1:Yes, some of these children have never had a cake, yeah, which is? It's just very sad it is, but it's a beautiful place. I will say I toured the old place. Um, side note, linda made me tour the place when I was seven months pregnant with my first. That was awesome on her part and I left crying, but not because it's a doom and gloom place, but because it has to be there. You assign it has to be there.
Speaker 1:I look for the day that you all are out of business, a hundred percent. We have no abused and neglected children, right. But it is amazing what you all do and I've talked about this before. Everyone has to know their space, right? I'm not a boots on the ground person, so I'm not going to be in there doing that, but I can dot, connect and hug for you. And so that brings us to the Shelter's 30th anniversary and you will have lots of exciting things planned this year. I feel like, yes, very excited. Which, coming up around the corner, is the Kentucky Derby event taking place the first Saturday of May, may 4th Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2:And not May the 4th be with you.
Speaker 1:But it could be. I hope somebody shows up in a star wars themed hat. That would be absolutely fantastic. So tell me about the event. So last year it was at the rec, I'm sorry. Last year was at the ledger, I think this year it's at the record.
Speaker 2:Yes, okay, trying to move it around to a different space and give it a different feel, but it is completely themed around the kentucky derby, so hats and bourbon and tulips and all the ponies yes, okay, uh, so you can take a chance to bet on the horse that you think is gonna win, like a live derby horse um ish, no, or like you have, so we'll watch ponies.
Speaker 2:Yes, okay, yeah, we'll watch the race, okay, but free race. You'll be able to choose which horse you think will be the one that wins overall. Okay, we are doing the hat and a bow tie contest. Oh, that's fun. Let's have fun there.
Speaker 1:Is there a crafting station or do I just show up with like an out of this world hat? You have to come prepared.
Speaker 2:Okay, so do all of your hat um ahead of time. Enhancements ahead of time yes, and then. So that'll be people's choice. So once the guests enter, then the other guests can vote on what their favorite is. Okay, we're bringing back the hershey wall of hope.
Speaker 1:Oh, I do love that that is making a return from the Starlight Gala. It is.
Speaker 2:Okay, so tons of fun. You'll be able to choose a kiss off the wall. Okay, there are no. No one will not win. So you will walk away with a bag full of Hershey kisses, or you'll walk away with a prize.
Speaker 1:So at the very least, I'm walking away with candy.
Speaker 2:Yeah, chocolate um, and this year we are doing a vip prior to the derby um okay, good, I was not sure if we were going to get to touch on that. Good, you're letting the cat out of the bag select um invitees are going to come and do a bourbon tasting prior to and these invitees?
Speaker 1:are they um sponsors? They are at a certain level they are. Are they're very let's see. Maybe we have room for some bigger and more amazing sponsors. Just to get into this, yes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so we're super excited. A way to really give back and give something special to our longtime partners of the shelter. Jason Framstad, diana Marshall, alon with Sam's club um, tyler lair and then sylvia.
Speaker 1:Yes, loss, yes, we'll all be in a chair, honorary chair, I think right, I mean, she's one of my most favorite humans yes, we're so excited and they've all been so gracious.
Speaker 2:they are um year-long advocates for the shelter, helping make connections, so they are going to be at the VIP sipping some bourbon.
Speaker 1:Okay. Well, that sounds super fun. Okay, so are we taking up both sides of the record or just one side? Both sides, okay.
Speaker 2:All the games, local restaurants will be providing food. Um, all derby inspired and themed. And then we have what's derby food?
Speaker 1:I've never been, have you been a set menu every year.
Speaker 2:Oh no kidding. Okay, ask the local restaurants to put their spend okay on the official menu. Um, so yeah, that'll be interesting, wow. And then Woodford Reserve is the preferred bourbon of the Derby and they will be present.
Speaker 1:Okay. So when you say Woodford Reserve, I'm sorry that is just tongue twisting to me. Yeah, woodford Reserve is the premier preferred bourbon. I'm sorry. Derby Do you mean, like the legit Kentucky Derby?
Speaker 2:Yes, oh okay, so there is a commemorative bottle that they put out that you can purchase, so we will have one of those in the auction Okay, do we have a live and silent or just silent?
Speaker 1:Just live, we have just the silent, okay. So how many items are we? There'll be about a hundred. That's a big assortment. What's some of our amazing things that we need to keep an eye out for? Okay, the bottle.
Speaker 2:Yes, yeah, yes, the bottle. I will say. There is a particular bourbon that is being tasted during the VIP. It's called Baccarat oh and it retails for about $2,000. And one of those will be Is it in a crystal bottle? It is from Brands. Yeah, okay, so that will be available in the auction as well.
Speaker 1:Oh, that is wonderful. I probably won't be bidding on that. I might open the bid hoping to get outbid. Yes for sure. Okay, that's fun, yeah, wow. Well, that's definitely going to be a can't miss event, yeah.
Speaker 2:So lots of. We have a couple of computers, some bikes, some nice items. I think it would be great for graduation gifts too, for sure, do you have any experiences?
Speaker 1:on there? Not yet, not yet, okay, yeah, maybe go get some. Those are usually my favorite, yeah, but you said a bike. I think I'm the only human in northwest arkansas that doesn't own a bike, so maybe I'll get a bike at your event. There you go, okay, okay, and then we kind of take the summer off. I mean we don't, the shelter never takes anything off. But right as far as philanthropy goes, we just kind of like keep hugging people and keep making friends and find doctors, but then we really ramp up to. I feel like it's kind of your new signature event. It's just the second year, so we can't call it annual yet, not until the third year. But tell me about this event If I hadn't read the one pager in 3W.
Speaker 2:Yes, because that would give you a sneak. It would um peek into it and it has um who our vintner is this year.
Speaker 1:But we did um, so it's the non-annual annual yes wine dinner, our our goal is that this will be a reoccurring event every year.
Speaker 2:What are we calling it? It is called the ventner the ventner dinner. Okay, um. So last year we were able to bring in um john anthony. John anthony's wine and it's john trichard is the the ventner that owns john anthony came in. We were super pleased with the outcome. We did it in the great hall at crystal bridges 120 people, um. Who did the food?
Speaker 1:the crystal bridges, crystal bridges, did the chef. It was fantastic. So the.
Speaker 2:The whole evening was fantastic. The vendor um ships in the wine that he's going to serve and allows the chef to create the menu around that wine. That's right. That and again, it was just very generous to have the vintner provided all of the wine to us as a donation, to do that for free, and he flew in and he flew in and so also explain the whole event to us, or the whole process of this.
Speaker 2:Yeah, kind of how his family got into the wine business. So, yes, we are so excited. We are having Pomez is the event this year September 7th and we're lucky that everybody had such a great time and the demand for tickets for the event has went up, so we moved it to 11th, which is such a great time, and the demand for tickets for the event has went up, so we moved it to 11, which is such a great problem to have. It is. It's great.
Speaker 1:So now we can seat 200 people in there okay, um, so are we still doing food by 11 or the christmas chef?
Speaker 2:okay, he's gonna do that okay, um, yeah, the wine's been shipped, so he's been tasting the wine. Is he going to come in prepare?
Speaker 1:yes, as well, it is to give us a tutorial, and they're all family members.
Speaker 2:It had a family-owned vineyard, um, so a couple of the family members are going to come in and be there that evening to walk the guests through the wines and how it pairs so any any of these wines?
Speaker 1:can we get them locally? I know we had a hard time getting the Truchard wines local last year, even though they're amazing, but he had a few lower end wines that were at Walmart.
Speaker 2:Walmart and Sam's Club. I don't currently know if there's a distributor in Arkansas with the wines. Okay, so that you'll have to read in the 3W Magazine next year. I'll have to read in that to try and find out where I can get nice wines, see if they're sourced. But I do know they do have a club membership. Okay, so if you're interested in it you can go to the Pome's wine website and then order. So yes, we have, um, we're going to have some really nice auction items at the wine dinner.
Speaker 1:Oh, we're already working on auction items.
Speaker 2:Yeah, wind they are hard to find um some collector um adult beverages oh, oh, just a side note.
Speaker 1:Now I will tell you all this event is already sold out. However, there's a waiting list, there is a waiting list and the waiting list is filling up as well. Yes, correct. But let me tell you, call and get on that waiting list, because just watching the live auction go down last year, you have these grown older gentlemen dying gentlemen dying, laughing, bidding, throwing each other under the bus for these massive magnum bottles of alcohol, and it was quite a sight to see. Yes, yeah, yeah, I loved it. So I would say, for the 30th anniversary of the shelter, that you all are knocking it out of the park because derby is sold out, but I think we could make room if somebody wanted to come in and be like a giant 10 multi-thousand dollar sponsor so they could get into the vip. We can to always create another level, exactly, and then the wine dinner is sold out. So that's amazing. Yes, and then do we have anything else? Are we still doing our smaller or casual events?
Speaker 2:The kickball Okay, we'll be in September. And then we always have the Sophia Scott Lemonade Stand.
Speaker 1:At the Walmart. Hold on, let's not butcher it. I'm going to butcher it. The Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship presented by P&G yes, that's quite a title, hashtag NWA Championship. And they just sent out a press release today that they now have some fancy GEO products certified for sustainability, which is a big deal for their tournament. The purse just went up to three million, so a $700,000 increase. Wow To the winner. So yay, winner. But yes, the Sophia Scott Limit Horizon Expanding Horizons Program, limiting Stand. Yes At the golf tournament. So tell us about Sophia's program. Yes, because it's been around for quite a few years now, because she's like a freshman or sophomore in college.
Speaker 2:Now I think she's a junior junior yes, okay, but yes, started with her first communion um, which is in second grade, everybody.
Speaker 2:So she, um, really wanted to do something positive and to really give something back instead of just most people, for their kids, for their community, and get gifts. And she said I really want to do something that will be meaningful for other people. Um, and I had known eric and elda for years and when I worked, worked with them when I was at the hospital and they had been out to tour the shelter. So they said let's look at some agencies that serve kids. And Sophia decided this is when she heard the kids. Some kids come to the shelter and have never experienced a birthday, they've never went to the movies, they never did the fun things of being a kid. She said that's what I want to do, I want to make sure they have those. And so she has been partnering with the shelter ever since and that's what her program.
Speaker 1:Yeah does that shelter? It doesn't do the bottom dollar. It right makes the kid. It's the extra, the fun yeah, um.
Speaker 2:So yes, that's what is. So we do the lemonade stand every year. All of that money goes to fund that program. She gets some nice assistance from her family, so they have, they do put in a sweat equity, they do, and they also match whatever she raises to ensure that every kid gets that experience.
Speaker 1:Okay, so, yeah, and it is amazing, lemonade, it is the best on the course. And the cups, yeah, you get a cup. It's like what? $10 a cup, I think.
Speaker 2:And then you come back for refills and it all goes to ensure that the kids have that, that fun kid experience.
Speaker 1:So see, there's different ways right to support the shelter. It doesn't always just have to be like a donation through a letter or attending an event. You can craft your own. I know when my oldest was young I don't know how old he was like kindergarten, first grade. I wouldn't ever. I still try not to let them receive gifts at birthdays. Right, he'll be 14 next week, so that doesn't really count. But when they were younger, I'm like my kids don't need anything, right. So we just sourced gifts for the shelter and him and his friend who had the same birthday. They did a big donation out there and I know that's common for you all and you have another. Those are called third-party events, I guess. And there's another third party event happening in April and I can't remember the date right the second 20. It's like a birthday party for the shelter at Grubbs Right, for the kids at the shelter. But the event will happen at Grubbs, correct, the 26th, maybe. I can't really remember the date it just got put on my calendar.
Speaker 1:So we can double check that yes, was just a flyer for it, but yes, it is just a local hairstylist in town who wants to do something for the kids and um, but oh, and she's doing it in april, because april is child abuse prevention month and the signature color is blue, yes, so where yeah blue? All your blue, all yeah law, or all month?
Speaker 2:long and I think that I'm glad that she's doing that because it gives again um people an opportunity to give back if they want to have their kids go buy what they would want, right, and they'll go to grubs, have dinner.
Speaker 1:Grubs is going to donate. I think it's like 20 of all the sales that evening, yeah, and your child still gets to participate in giving back to a child. So, in a birthday party fashion. And I remember this hairstylist her name's rachel bray. She's great, we were talking about it and she was bummed because she couldn't do it at christmas and I was like everyone is stretched so thin at Christmas, like I don't have the capacity to drop by one more event, so just take that event out of December and make it a birthday party in April, for this is great idea.
Speaker 2:So yeah, and then those gifts will sustain us at the shelter to make sure every child has what they want for their birthday all year long, all year long, yeah yeah, so it's, it's a win-win.
Speaker 1:Yes, okay, so what else? What if we not?
Speaker 2:um, the one thing I forgot to mention at the derby is oh, let's go back to the derby real quick, is it? It is our 30th year, so we have a donor who is going to, we, we do an ask at the event, and so we're going to try to raise $30,000. Oh, that's a great number, and we have a donor who's going to match 30. Oh, fantastic. So we're super excited about that. Well, congratulations, yes, that's exciting, really good, and all of that is going to go to help fund our summer programs which has a tie to the Sophia Scott program?
Speaker 1:yes, isn't it. They tour around the world or something. Tell us about that yes, the worst.
Speaker 2:Last year was the first year that we did it um, but realizing it's not just the going to the movies and going out to eat the things fun, kid things but it's also travel and expanding horizons beyond northwest Arkansas. So the activities coordinator, olivia, decided she created real not real passports real like passports, not real passports, real like a house sports. And then we engage the community to help us take the kids on these experiences to different countries. So one of our volunteers her family's from cuba, so she had all of the information about cuba, the food, so it was the whole experience that they got to for like a week. Right, okay, so they choose different destinations. We had, um, we went to india, so the um group that put that on. We actually went to an indian restaurant.
Speaker 1:They brought saris, the kids got to dress in, it was and it but that's an amazing experience, because I've never even put one of those on right, so but, but it's not just the food, but it's the culture, the people.
Speaker 2:They're opening their horizons and they take that with them. Yeah, so it was so interesting to realize we were hoping it would be impactful, but then seeing the kids' experiences and now just their excitement about learning about different people, different cultures, I love that. Just the desire to travel and knowing that the world is bigger than us.
Speaker 1:Right, and what's going on, right now right because I'm sure, that's all they can see at that moment exactly, yeah, letting them have aicks. So are we going to do that program again this summer?
Speaker 2:We're doing that, and then we're enhancing and adding on more experiences for the kids. Okay, so that takes a little extra funding.
Speaker 1:So that's where we're going to. So, nwa, if you have any other country connections besides USA, hit up Linda, yeah, she's going to need you, we, yeah, she's gonna need you, we would love to have that. Okay, and then one last thing I want to touch on. Let's talk about the hope academy. Yes, right, yeah, I mean we touched on the fact that when a child is placed with you all, they receive schooling on site through the bentonville public school. Yes, okay, separate from that you all have. I feel like it's the first. It is okay, trauma informed and focused and focused charter school. Yeah, now, is it the first in arkansas or first in the country? First in arkansas? Okay, and it is, I don't know, a handful of years old.
Speaker 2:three, it is in its fourth year. Okay, I was in the middle of a five-year charter, okay, um, and it really came out of a necessity and a need. So there um, five, six years ago yeah, so separate the two.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, okay, the shelter, um had a separate area that was designed to serve children that are birth to age six, and six years ago there was a law passed from the federal government Family First Act and they really wanted to make sure that the kids under the age of six don't be are not placed into a residential setting.
Speaker 2:They really wanted them to, when they're removed, to go right into another home a residential setting. They really wanted them to, when they're removed, to go right into another home, a foster home and that's an ideal scenario, absolutely, and I think the state has been able to comply with that. So we had space in the shelter that we needed to find another way that we could have a positive impact on the community and said we've been doing education with that trauma focus for years 25 years. So it's a shame that the kids that need that aren't getting it just because they don't come to the shelter Right like ie, a foster child could be receiving Hope Academy, but they weren't at the time because they weren't being placed in the residential portion of it.
Speaker 2:Right, Okay, yeah. So they said let's take our expertise and let's figure out how to make this happen. They went and got the charter for five years and it's kindergarten through fourth grade and it's specialized training. So if a child has had incurred any kind of trauma from birth to whenever, it comes out in different forms and fashions, and a lot of times with kids it comes out in not the most appropriate school behavior and it was keeping them from attending no, not attending, but staying in the classroom because it was a disruptive behavior, absolutely. Teachers trying to manage the 30 other kids in her classroom, the 30 other kids in her classroom. So there was no consistent education going on in that child's life and if it went beyond just removed from the classroom, they got expelled. The parents had to leave their work Disruptive all the way around, all the way around.
Speaker 2:So we said let's see if we can figure out a way to meet the child's emotional needs, their social needs, help them self-regulate when that behavior starts to come out, let's help them control that. And then they get to remain in the classroom, right, so they're not missing all of that education. So they're not missing all of that education and the idea behind it the kindergarten through fourth grade is let's get them in and figure out how much time each child needs to get self-regulated. That's where they learn coping skills, and then, at fifth grade, you're ready at that point to transition back into public school. Okay, so it's been very exciting to watch and very successful. We've had schools from all over the country reach out to say, oh my gosh, what are you guys doing? We want to know more about it. So we're really excited to see, at the end of the fifth year, what this is going to transform into. And you have to apply, yes.
Speaker 1:And you're full right and you have to apply.
Speaker 2:Yes, it is like any other full right and you have a waiting list constantly, lots of referrals. So if a family moves into the area they don't know that Alba Academy exists, they go into one of the local school systems. We get so many referrals from the public schools saying this is the setting that your child needs in order for them to be successful.
Speaker 1:So okay, we're coming up on the five-year yes in August, so what does that look like? Do you have to reapply we?
Speaker 2:will, and part of so. We got funding from the Walton Family Foundation. Okay, because this is such a unique opportunity, we went into it with a five-year charter, with a mindset, knowing that it's unique and individual. But what could it turn into? Right? So we are re-busting it. The same-ish and we are now part of that grant is to employ a third party to come in and do an assessment of the program. Okay, a white paper to say these parts. We know that could be replicated into a public school setting. Okay, financially staffing, all the things that would go into that. Here are the components of the program that you've established. We could package this and push it out nationwide to the other schools to teach the teachers and the administration of other public schools. Here are the pieces that you can pull into your own program. So that's what's going on right now is gathering all that information, is it so?
Speaker 1:we can shut the Hope Academy doors and push it out, or just we're still open in here, but we're also a resource.
Speaker 2:That is what we want somebody to come in and assess the program and tell us what that looks like. Okay is it? Let's keep it going. But you need a bigger space because you need to have um, because right now it's um 10 kids in a classroom, so it's not enough, right?
Speaker 1:I mean that's great because it's more one-on-one.
Speaker 2:I'm just does that need to be more centrally located. We have families driving from um barmington. That's far right because we don't have transportation. So I think that's what the consultant is coming in to say. Here's the key out um successes coming out of the program, and here's what it would look like in four different models. Okay, okay, so really we don't. Yeah, so we're excited to see. Okay, I think. And does that conclude At the end of the fifth year?
Speaker 1:Oh, so, yeah, oh so year six is literally just like hinging, but it's Until we hear what the report says.
Speaker 2:I think it will know pieces of it, as they, you know, discover. This is hard facts and I think here's something that you could really take away. So, yeah, it's going to be just a learning the whole thing.
Speaker 1:I feel like y'all been like building the airplane while you've been flying it the whole time on this thing, but in the best way, right, because you knew it was needed. It's off the ground, it has a waiting list. It's off the ground, it has a waiting list, it's documented. But yeah, we're still in that infancy stage, so great.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and they've already had great successes of the kids coming in the program transitioning out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, how about those fourth graders that transitioned up?
Speaker 2:And we've had kids that come in transition after third grade. Okay, you know, it's just. Every child is unique and individual and it's how. The other unique part of the program is that we have a staff that, not that is solely focused on the family. So what, we're teaching the kids in the classroom and how to self-regulate, because nobody teaches you that as a parent. Okay, so you have that, and then you have that for the parent. Yes, so they can reinforce that same information at home, and it also helps the parent.
Speaker 1:This staff is completely separate from the shelter, completely separate administration wise, all the way down to the very bottom.
Speaker 1:We just share um infrastructure facilities and it's just like a school year. Yes, august through may. Yep, okay, yeah, that's fantastic. I know that I was um perplexed when you all were launching it and then even for a while, because I was like I'm so confused. There's a non-sign school, and I know I'm not the only confused human out there and I don't have children with trauma, right, and so I don't understand. But the more it is explained to me, the more I wrap my head around it.
Speaker 1:And not that ADHD compares to anything remotely trauma related, but, um, my youngest was just diagnosed with that. So, and so we're now medicating, but I can see how those teachers. The hope academy is it just, it's a whole. It's boring concept. Yes, it's just that, and so much more so if you've got somebody who knows what to do with that child and then knows what to do with the mom and dad, because I'm over here like I don't know what I'm doing um, it's just so much consistency across the board and just support all the way around to help the child to be successful yes, because they are our future, Exactly Right.
Speaker 1:So I had someone in there before you when we were talking about the CAC, the Children's Advocacy Center, and I know you all work with them right and receive children through stuff like that and probably have children in the Hope Academy who have been through that and they're still in a foster home or in the family through the Family First Act. So it's just, it's a big 360 approach.
Speaker 2:It is, and it is, I think, always been anytime that I've been involved with the shelter. It's not diabetes, it's not heart disease, it's not child abuse. Isn't something that you talk about in a dinner party or oh my gosh, my dad just got diagnosed with heart disease or whatever. So many people still don't know that the shelter exists and they still don't know it's in Northwest Arkansas. Vinton and Washington County are the highest ranking in the state, always consistent at the top of child abuse and neglect, and so I think it is a continual education that Because our streets are paved with gold, so we can drive around on our our fancy paved streets, even though they're all under construction right now.
Speaker 2:We can drive around on the neglect, so we don't see it right and if that's not in your circle or in anything that you engage with on a regular basis, it's easy to just ignore, ignore but not be informed, right? I don't think it's an intentional Right, but it is just, and I will say every time somebody comes out to see the shelter, because it is a positive place it is. It is so positive, really change these kids' lives that they're 100% like how can I help? How can I help?
Speaker 1:Yeah, Because no child should have to walk through those doors the doors on the right, not the doors on the left. No child should have to walk through those doors Right. And that's the hardest part, I think, as a parent Well, really as a human but I can, from the parent perspective, because I can put my kids' faces on those kids Right, even though I don't, I've only seen them from a distance, right. I don't want any misconceptions of like the public is not around the children, correct. But when you tour the rooms and they're removed and you still see their things, I'm like that could be my son's shoes, you know, or whatever. So it puts a very heartstring, it's personal something, something on it and I'm like, oh my gosh, these humans are our future. How you can't, you can't do these things to them, right, and so we have to have the shelter.
Speaker 1:It's unfortunate, it has to exist, but it's on, and I know it's far out, but it's on a great piece of land for sure, backs up to a farm, and the farm people are on your board and they're amazing, yeah, and so it is a positive experience and you have a full-size gym and we are so fortunate in our gold-paved road area that we have so many vendors and community people that show up to rally and volunteer and support you all in the most unique ways possible, but you still need help because you've got to raise 80% of your operating budget every year. So it's all good. Yes, it takes a village. It does take a village, and we're going to finish with this village part of it. You are exiting stage right, I am Real soon. Yes, and I know the shelter is crying out there. I'm very sad, but you're not really going to leave me, so it's fine. No, tell us what you all are looking for, how to replace you. Yes, which is impossible, but let everyone know how they can try.
Speaker 2:I do feel I'm super fortunate. I would say it's the best job or place of employment that I've been fortunate to be a part of for about 10 and a half years. But on the flip side, it is fortunate I'm gifted with the opportunity to retire Just die. But I think anybody who is passionate about making a difference it's exactly what we said just you're really changing these kids lives. You're giving them the opportunity that we had someone growing up that made that difference in our life. So if I think, if that's your passion and you really want to come to work every day and know that you're making a difference, and if fundraising's your jam, yes.
Speaker 1:But it's more than fundraising, it's relationship. You're really cultivating relationships that turn into dollars For sure, right? You're not just sourcing a million dollars, you're sourcing relationships, because relationships pay it forward daily.
Speaker 2:Yes, and that's what I've always thought of how development works. I don't ask you to give Right, pay it forward daily, so I think it's just a matter of sharing the amazing programs that are taking place at the shelter and making sure everybody in Northwest Arkansas knows about it and if that connects with them, they're going to get involved. Yes, but yeah, there's a great staff, great team out at the shelter, great leadership, and I think if you are looking to make a shift, then call the shelter. Yeah, it's going to be great and you'll get to work with me. Then hold a shelter.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's going to be great, and you'll get to work with me, obviously, which is even more fun, right? Exactly, that's the best part. That's the best part. Yes, I'm going to steal from your former employer, mercy. Yes, because everyone has time, talent and treasure to give, so why not give it to the kids? Yeah, shelter, or To give, so why not give it?
Speaker 2:to the kids, yeah. Or if you just want to volunteer, yeah, yeah, you always need volunteers, yeah, and I'm sticking around. I'm going to stay.
Speaker 1:I know You're not going to leave them high and dry. You're definitely here through the end of the wine dinner. Yes, and I'll be volunteering after that and joining somebody to fill your shoes. Yes, okay, linda, I love you, thank you. Thank you for joining me, thank you for making this so much less painful than it needed to be, and I appreciate it. Yes, okay, and all of you out there, thank you for sticking with us. I still don't have a closing, still don't know what I'm doing, but I appreciate you for hanging around this long and watching it and just joining the 3W Podcast home of the who, what, where, and we're always