Tell us about your organization: Restoration Village is a long-term women and children's shelter with minimal barriers to residency. We serve a diverse population, typically victims of domestic abuse, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, homelessness or those who have completed a rehab program.
• Mission: To restore the lives of women and women with children in crisis through safe shelter and life-changing services while promoting stability, dignity and self-reliance.
AIM for Advocacy Barn Bash
Who: Restoration Village
What: Hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live and silent auctions, live music
When: 6 p.m. Aug 9
Where: Coughlin Ranch in Bentonville
Tickets: $125
Information: (479) 631-7345 0r maddie@restorationv…
• Services provided: We provide shelter, transitional living, transportation, advocacy, counseling, equine therapy, group therapy, children's programs, basic needs.
• Service area: Majority of our residents are from Benton or Washington County, but we do not limit our service area to that. Ten percent are from surrounding counties and states!
• Average number of people served annually: Since we are long term, meaning we do not have a set end date, our average stay is about a year, although we have had residents up to seven years. Our average amount of people served is around 75.
How is your organization's mission unique? We are unique because we do not have specific requirements for eligibility. This means we allow anyone in need to be provided services as room is available. We customize a plan based on each resident's needs, which means their length of stay is flexible. We provide trauma-informed services in a family environment centered around love and grace. We have family dinners multiple times each week.
Why do you work or volunteer for a nonprofit organization? Do you have a personal connection to the mission? If so, what is it? I began volunteering and interning in high school at Restoration Village. Through that experience I decided to major in social work. Ultimately, I chose to continue working at Restoration Village because there is such a need for a program like this in our community. Our services move on to the next generation, or to the children that live here. We have seen the cycle of abuse and poverty be broken, and it is so amazing!
What part of your job fills the most of your time? Since I am in development, the majority of my time is spent working on events. Alongside that I assist with our children's programs and miscellaneous needs.
What have you learned on the job that you didn't expect? I have learned so much, but the main one is that everyone has a story. Although they are all different, it isn't just those in poverty who are in need of assistance.
What challenges face your organization? Our challenges are like many other nonprofits. We are unable to serve every person that contacts us needing assistance, and it is heartbreaking every time we receive a hotline call. We do our best to refer out.
Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? What are they? We have so many volunteer opportunities! We always need assistance with transportation, children's programs, events and basic organizing. We sit on 70 acres, so yard maintance is a huge need as well.
What upcoming fundraisers and/or other events does your organization have planned? AIM for Advocacy is Aug. 10 with the pre-party, Barn Bash, the night before! It is our biggest event of the year and so much fun! It is a clay pigeon shooting event at Spring Valley Anglers Gun and Rod Club.
NAN Profiles on 07/14/2019