FORT SMITH -- The effort to develop a service campus for the homeless in Fort Smith got a double boost Thursday with the announcements that a local hospital will open a clinic on the campus and that a local businessman is donating $100,000.
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith issued a news release Thursday that it has signed a letter of intent to open a clinic for low-income residents on the proposed Riverview Hope Campus and to commit $350,000 to the project.
And Fort Smith businessman Bennie Westphal announced he is donating $100,000 toward development of the campus. His donation was in response to a challenge from the Griffin family of Fort Smith to match the $100,000 donation it made to the coalition last month.
"Mercy's commitment to fund and develop the medical component of the Riverview Hope Campus is a game changer," Fort Smith homeless coordinator Debbie Everly said in the release. "Easy access to medical care will offer hope that a better future is possible and assurance that the community cares."
The Old Fort Homeless Coalition is raising $2.9 million to buy a vacant Riverside Furniture factory building at 301 S. E St. and renovate it for the first phase of the campus. The coalition has raised $2.1 million toward its goal.
The first phase will consist of a 75-bed emergency shelter, cafeteria, kitchen, showers, laundry area, classrooms, counseling rooms, barbershop, kennels, bulk storage and worship center.
Dr. Cole Goodman, president of Mercy Clinic Fort Smith, said in the release the hospital always is looking for ways to reach patients who have difficulty getting access to health care.
"The idea that we could pool our resources with other agencies and create one location to assist our homeless and low-income population lines up with our mission to help patients find care close to them," Goodman said.
A news release on the Westphal donation said he sees and often interacts with the homeless near his downtown business Foundation Life Insurance Co. of Arkansas. He looks forward to services at the campus helping them.
"I like the idea of having the needed services under one roof and giving hope for better outcomes for the homeless and poor," he said.
Everly said she is thankful for the matching gifts from the Westphal and Griffin families.
The Westphal family also donated the riverfront land near downtown Fort Smith for the construction of the U.S. Marshals Museum.
Metro on 01/09/2015