By: Drew Chamberlain
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Northwest Arkansas is one of the 15th fastest-growing areas in the nation, according to Worth Sparkman, senior writer for Axios. With an increase in population comes an increase in people experiencing homelessness.
The City of Fayetteville decided to help counteract homelessness by giving $1 million, the remaining money of the federal pandemic relief fund, to 7 Hills.
7 Hills Day Center, a nonprofit based in Fayetteville, has been working to provide the homeless community with food, hygiene products, tents, and other items that could be essential for survival for almost 20 years.
Becci Sission, CEO of 7Hills, said that with the additional funding, the day center can be converted into an overnight shelter. This entails opening up dorm rooms where up to 64 people experiencing housing insecurity can have a safe space to sleep at night.
“We think we understand their story, and sometimes it’s an uncomfortable glance when somebody is pulling their belongings behind them, but homelessness has all kinds of shapes and sizes,” Sission said. Sission believes this is a step forward in positively impacting the community’s stance on helping those in need.
7Hills Day Center has shown that its program which utilizes case management, helping people get jobs, and restructuring those in need has immensely benefited their guests. Kristina Andazola, Development Associate for 7Hills, has been working to help those in need for 13 years. She said she understands the feeling as she was once faced with housing insecurity herself.
“I was looking for a job at the time; I didn’t want to lose my house- I was on that program, and it helped me build my self-esteem up and gave me the resources that I needed,” Andazola said. Andazola’s journey with 7Hills began as someone who was in need, and 13 years later, is in a crucial administrative position in the nonprofit’s journey to utilize the $1 million grant.
Andazola said homelessness is not always an issue people can predict.
“It can be sudden; anything can happen,” Andazola said, “from losing your job, your car breaking down, medical emergencies, deaths of family members, and even domestic abuse.”
Andazola said these are all factors that can cause someone to be put in a position of suddenly experiencing housing insecurity.
While the Day Center currently relies on its hired staff and volunteers to help with various tasks around the campus, the need for volunteers will never diminish. Andazola encourages members of the community to support those experiencing homelessness, “It could be you; anyone can face this,” Andazola said.
According to Sission, 7Hills is working collaboratively not only with the City of Fayetteville to counteract homelessness but also with various other nonprofits like the Salvation Army, Churches, and food pantries.
Construction of the new dormitories will begin in the Spring of 2024.