Vision Statement
The people of Conway and the surrounding communities unite to address homelessness and poverty with creative, informed, sustainable, and inclusive solutions to ensure our neighbors have financial security and a safe place to call home.
7 Goals
- In 2035, Conway will have emergency and transitional shelter options available to all those in need so that no one goes without shelter.
- In 2035, Conway will have affordable mental health services available, as well as mental health workers alongside police and first responders so that mental health events are not treated as crimes.
- In 2035, Conway will have a city-wide initiative for education, collaboration, and communication that pulls together all sectors with a role to play: corporations, churches, schools, small businesses, nonprofits, hospitals, etc., so that we can promote safe affordable housing and jobs that offer a living wage.
- In 2035, Conway will have a multi-resource center where agencies come together to offer services at least once per week to make it easier on those seeking services (similar to Project Homeless Connect; this model is used during disaster relief and works great).
- In 2035, Conway will have incentivized living wage jobs to meet demand, and the required education and training to fulfill those jobs will be available to the people who need it.
- In 2035, Conway will have access to safe, affordable childcare available at all hours of the day, with educational components to address generational poverty.
- In 2035, Conway will establish ongoing funding mechanisms such as a voluntary tax for Homeless Services so that funds will be available for these many initiatives.
5 Ways Individuals Can Support This Sector
- Donate time, money, and services to existing nonprofits working on issues of homelessness and poverty.
- Advocate for those experiencing homelessness and poverty – go to city council meetings, volunteer for local city and nonprofit boards, city surveys, and roundtables.
- Educate yourself and be intentional in conversations with your circle of influence to educate them on the reality of homelessness and poverty as well as encourage involvement.
- Hire people who are or have been homeless and people with felony convictions.
- Spend time getting to know people in vulnerable situations and learn their needs.
6 Ways Organizations Can Support This Sector
- Encourage employees to volunteer on company time, and allow employees to use specialized skills to benefit the low-income community and the unhoused (e.g., construction repairs at nonprofits, new building projects, etc.)
- Convene task force/working group to tackle the goals set forth in the 2035 plan.
- Use your organization to promote financial giving, such as establishing a foundation, running a campaign, donating a percent of sales to a local nonprofit, etc.
- Use platforms/media to share public service announcements regarding poverty and homelessness announcements.
- Provide free and low-cost services to people in need and nonprofits, such as job or life skills training, legal services, mental health services, and meeting spaces.
- Hire people who are or have been homeless and people with felony convictions.
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