HIGHFILL — Guests at the Wingate Inn who see 8-year-old Liyah Carter sprint down the carpeted halls on her way to the pool probably assume she’s one of the hotel’s many guests.
They would be wrong. Liyah lives there.
She is one of 11 children who live at the hotel as part of a pilot program initiated by Sunway Hotel Group to provide transitional housing to homeless veterans and their families. Supporters said it may be the only program in the country allowing veterans to stay with their families, and even their pets, while they receive housing assistance.
Representatives from numerous veterans groups in Northwest Arkansas came together with the company’s chief executive officer, Don Culbertson, on Friday to discuss the future of the 5-month-old program and how they can help it succeed.
The hotel dedicates a percentage of its rooms in which veterans live until they get back on their feet. Keeping families together is at the heart the plan, Culbertson said.
“I think that would be important to anybody,” he said. “We will even allow their dogs.”
There were 22 people living at the hotel as part of the program Friday. Families are supposed to pay $14 a day in rent, but only about a third do so. Culbertson said the hotel doesn’t kick any of the veterans out, regardless of their ability to pay.
He said growth has been slow, but gratitude has been abundant. One veteran told Culbertson about his experience living in his car or in the woods, hunting game with a bow and arrow to feed his family. There were many days he went without eating so his family wouldn’t have to, the man told Culbertson.
Tales like that are common from people who would rather live on the street than enter a homeless shelter that separates them from their families, said Derek McGinnis, an author and veterans advocate from California.
“There’s not a lot of resources out there for people with families or pets,” McGinnis said. “They choose to stay homeless because they won’t leave them. This offers them an opportunity.”
The hotel provides free breakfast each day and quarters so families can wash their clothing in the hotel’s laundry room. Local veterans groups are working together to create a food pantry and buy a freezer so they have food throughout the day. The hotel also has transportation available for the families.
The endeavor isn't a moneymaker for the hotel. Culbertson said it costs the hotel group money every month, but he’s doing it anyway.
“I felt bad about all the guys coming back broken, and decided this was the right thing to do,” Culbertson said.
Liyah played with five other children staying at the hotel Friday, waiting on the veterans groups to get out of her “playground.” The meeting room transforms into a play room with bean bag toss games and televisions for movies.
The six children were watched over by hotel employee John Campbell, also known as Uncle John. The gregarious man is a favorite of the children. Campbell transitions from the hotel’s director of rooms to kindergarten cop as he corrals the kids down the hall.
“He gives us doughnuts and toys,” said Jordan Carter, 10.
“He’s really nice,” chimed in Cassie Lambert, 8.
One of the children said her favorite thing about living at the hotel is she gets breakfast every day. Several said they love the pool. The kids also ride bikes around the parking lot.
Volunteers hope to help provide the veterans with the resources and training they need to gain stability and transition into their own homes. To do that, veterans groups seek help from the community financially and through other resources.
Jose Martinez, state commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, encouraged others at the meeting to go out and actively promote and seek assistance for the program.
“It’s not too much to ask to spread the word, not after what Don’s doing here,” Martinez said. “He’s taking the burden of that cost. We need to go out and talk to people.”
For more information or to sponsor a family, call the Sunway Foundation at 913-345-2111.
At A Glance
About Sunway
The Sunway Hotel Group is affiliated with brands including Hilton, Hampton Inn, Marriott, Holiday Inn and Wingate Inn. It has operated hotels around the country since 1983.
Source: Staff Report