The Call NWA is a faith-based non profit organization that has recruited, supported and trained foster parents in Northwest Arkansas for the past 10 years.
Program Director Brandy Shioyama said there are currently about 500 children in need of foster care but only 180 families available in NWA. The Call NWA works with churches in the area to educate people about this problem. Recruiting new foster parents and training them to be prepared for fostering is a large part of what The Call NWA does to help meet the need of the community.
The Call was started in Pulaski, Arkansas, 15 years ago by Mary Carol Pederson after she noticed there were a lot of kids in need of foster care and not enough homes available. The Call now has branches in 51 different counties throughout Arkansas.
“In our community, one of the biggest populations that need us are children in foster care,” Shioyama said.
The Call NWA is unique because they are not a licensing agency but instead considered a bridge organization between hopeful foster parents and the Division of Family and Children Services.
Shioyama said The Call’s training focuses on preparing the family’s home for the change that is coming. Learning how to help children develop, as well as how to support those that have been through trauma or abuse, is significant when fostering.
Shioyama said The Call NWA is supported by the community in a variety of ways and is funded by monetary donations and pledges from churches and businesses. They also accept donations of food and clothes which help families when children are suddenly placed with them.
“Volunteers are always welcome,” said Morgyn Sallie, an intern with The Call NWA. “They can help by sorting through the donations we get and making meals for families.”
Shioyama said anything The Call NWA can give to help the children makes a difference. The organization serves about 200 homes so supplies can go quickly.
Sallie said donation drives are very important to The Call’s success in supporting foster families. One drive she organized was held on the University of Arkansas’ campus in November and collected packaged underwear for children. A local church also recently donated 60 pairs of tennis shoes for boys and girls.
“The biggest thing the community can do is hold clothing drives,” Shioyama said. “We are always happy to accept anything the community is willing to give us.”
All donations The Call NWA receives directly benefit the foster families they are working to support. Their website thecallinarkansas.org/nwa provides a place to sign up for volunteer opportunities or give donations to the organization.
