Esther Home Open House

The new Esther Home at 210 North 17th Street is the first in Fort Smith to address the immediate need for permanent supportive housing for women and their children. It is a project of the Next Step Day Room with Community Development Block Grant funding, and as a United Way Community Partner.

This newly renovated, seven-bedroom home is very comfortable and safe. A House Manager will oversee this drug– and alcohol-free housing. We will assist the women finding appropriate employment with 80% of their income being placed in a savings account to be returned to them when they become self –sufficient.

While in the Esther Home, mentoring will be provided for the women to develop budgeting and parenting skills. A healthy lifestyle with nutritious eating habits will be fostered. The children will be mentored to bring them up to grade level and beyond so they can develop the confidence they need to become successful.

There is no acceptable reason for a child to be homeless. Women with small children often find their housing options to be doubling up with another family they do not know well, or cohabitating with a man they recently met. Both options result in multiple relocations each month. Children and their mothers are rarely safe in these situations.

Please join us in celebrating this opportunity to assist homeless women and their children in route to a successful and healthy life.

If you are unable to join us at the Open House, donations can be made to the Esther Home through the Next Step Day Room, 123 North 6th Street, Ft. Smith AR 72901.