NEWSLETTER

vol. 2 | March 2026

Since opening our doors in June 2025, the Hot Springs Community Resource Center has served as a collaborative hub focused on four key areas: Health, Housing, Education, and Employment. By bringing community partners together in one location, the CRC helps individuals address immediate needs while building long-term stability.

In the first seven months:

Housing & Financial Stability

• More than $70,000 provided in housing-related assistance to prevent homelessness and stabilize households
• 116 individuals received rapid rehousing or deposit assistance
• 79 households received homelessness prevention support
• 90 households received utility assistance

Health, Hygiene & Basic Needs

• 3,576 meals served
• An average of 230 showers provided each month
• 90 state IDs and 30 birth certificates secured to support access to employment and services

Emergency Response

• Warming shelter activated on five nights, serving a total of 192 guests
• 125 individuals reached through street outreach

Access to Services & Daily Support

• An average of 1,364 visits each month
• Approximately 46 individuals served each day
• 1,802 volunteer hours contributed by community members

40% of those served are housed, 60% are experiencing homelessness, and 87% are long-term Hot Springs residents—neighbors working to regain stability within their own community.

This impact reflects the power of a coordinated, community-wide approach and the shared commitment of partners working together under one roof.

Not so long ago, on a January day, Sarah and Matt stopped by the CRC just to say hello.

A few months earlier, they had been experiencing homelessness. They were trying to survive day to day, unsure of what came next, and doing the best they could with very little support.

That’s when they met Boyce.

Boyce helped them navigate resources, find stability, and take the steps needed to get into a place of their own. It wasn’t instant. It wasn’t easy. But it was real help, offered consistently, with patience and care.

When they came back, they weren’t just stopping by to visit. They came to thank him. To share their new bundle of joy. To say they’re doing well. To let him know that their life looks completely different now because someone believed in them when they needed it most.

This is another reason the Hot Springs Community Resource Center exists.

Not just for warm nights…but for real futures. Not just for emergency shelter…but for long-term change.

Today, we’re operating an extended emergency warming shelter because brutal conditions haven’t let up. And there are people walking through our doors who look a lot like Sarah and Matt did not long ago.

Tired. Cold. Uncertain.

Hoping someone will help them take the next step.

Your support doesn’t just keep the lights on. It keeps the door open for the next family. The next parent. The next baby. The next story waiting to be written. And, we thank you!

Winter at a Glance

❄️ Season covered: December, January, and February
👥 Individuals served: Hundreds of community members accessed support, resources, and connection throughout the winter months
🍽️ Community meals & gatherings: Multiple meals and seasonal events, including A Seat at the Table, serving approximately 165 guests in one evening
🧥 Winter care items distributed: Cold-weather essentials, hygiene items, and comfort supplies provided to support health, safety, and dignity
🤝 Volunteers engaged: A dedicated group of volunteers stepped in across programs, events, front desk support, and outreach
💙 Community support: This work was made possible through the generosity of individual donors, churches, local businesses, and community partners

On December 22nd, the Community Resource Center hosted A Seat at the Table, a winter community meal created to offer warmth, nourishment, and belonging during one of the hardest seasons of the year.

We were honored to serve approximately 165 guests, each welcomed with a hot meal, thoughtful care items, and a space to gather in dignity and connection.

This evening was made possible through the generosity and collaboration of our community partners. Hot Springs Catering provided a delicious meal, while Signature Events of Hot Springs transformed the space with beautiful décor and thoughtful event design. Lakeview Assembly of God hosted a hot chocolate bar, served the meal, and prepared and served desserts. The evening opened with song and prayer led by the Pastor and Praise Team, setting a tone of care and gratitude.

Because of generous donors, every guest also received a wrapped hoodie and care items including Chapstick, a scarf, hand sanitizer, a notebook and pen, a flashlight, tissues, hand warmers, a manicure set, and candy.

A Seat at the Table was more than a meal—it was a reminder that everyone deserves to be seen, welcomed, and cared for. We are deeply grateful to every partner, volunteer, and donor who helped make this night possible.

Special THANKS to CRC partners.

Together, we are changing lives in our community!

• 100 Families of Garland County
• AR Workforce Centers
• Literacy Council of the Ouachitas
• Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic
• Goodwill Industries
• Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness
• Medical Benefit Solutions
• Henderson State University
• Potter's Clay
• Salvation Army
• Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services
• Scars and Stripes, Inc.
• Wolfe Street Foundation
• Anso Divine Spa
• Jackson House
• Spa Area Independent Living Services
• Samaritan Ministries
• LifeNet
  ​

Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness Day Program Launch at the CRC

In January, the Community Resource Center marked an important milestone with the launch of the Wellness Day Program, a new partnership with Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness.

The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce joined us on January 5th for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the start of this expanded service inside the CRC.

Now operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM on the second floor, OBHAW's Wellness Day Program provides structured, strength-based support for adults living with chronic mental illness or co-occurring disorders. Participants benefit from daily routines, life-skills development, independence support, and meaningful community connection.

This partnership represents more than a new program—it reflects our shared commitment to meeting people with dignity, compassion, and whole-person care.

We are grateful to Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness and the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce for helping make this collaboration possible and for investing in the long-term wellbeing of our community.

To learn more about the Wellness Day Program, visit obhaw.org/programs/wellness-day

Mardi Gras Fundraiser at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

In February, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church hosted a Mardi Gras fundraiser in support of the Community Resource Center, raising $5,000 to help sustain services for our neighbors.

The evening began with Evensong and continued with a joyful celebration featuring live music from Shirley Chauvin’s S’Wonderful & Friends and a classic red beans and rice dinner. Guests were welcomed with exceptional hospitality, delicious food, and a spirit of generosity that reflected the heart of this community.

Events like this play an important role in ensuring the CRC can continue providing practical support, stability, and hope throughout the year.

We are deeply grateful to the parishioners of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for their partnership and for investing in the work of strengthening lives across Hot Springs.

Every story shared in this newsletter reflects something bigger than any single program or event. It reflects a community that continues to show up.

Throughout the winter months, volunteers welcomed guests at the front desk, served meals, helped with events, and offered steady, compassionate support to those walking through our doors. Churches, local businesses, and community organizations partnered with us to meet practical needs and create meaningful moments of care.

Individual donors made it possible for the CRC to remain consistent during a season when needs were high. Your generosity helped provide essential supplies, support daily operations, and ensure that our neighbors had access to warmth, stability, and connection.

To every volunteer, partner, donor, and supporter—thank you for being part of this work. Your compassion and commitment are what make lasting change possible across our community.

None of this work happens alone. Because of you, the CRC remains a place where hope is practical, help is consistent, and every person is met with dignity.

To volunteer, give, or view our online daily calendar, please visit: bit.ly/hotspringscrc

• Cadence Bank
• Chambers Bank
• Regions Bank
• Arvest Bank
• Bank OZK
• Southern Bancorp

Looking Ahead

As we move into the spring season, the work of the Community Resource Center continues each day—welcoming neighbors, responding to needs, and helping individuals and families take steps toward stability and independence.

While winter brings visible challenges, the need for consistent support exists year-round. Because of this community’s generosity and involvement, the CRC is able to remain a steady place of care, connection, and opportunity for those working to rebuild their lives.

If you feel called to stay connected to this work, there are many ways to be part of the impact:

• Volunteer your time
• Partner with us as a community organization or business
• Make a financial contribution to support ongoing services
• Share our mission with others in the community

Together, we are strengthening lives, supporting stability, and building a more connected Hot Springs.

With gratitude,
The Hot Springs Community Resource Center Team

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