10:33 Initiative Unites Pope County to Support Families

Pope County took a significant step forward this week with the official launch of the 10:33 Initiative—an effort designed to better connect families in crisis with the resources they need to reach stability and, ultimately, thrive.

Leaders from across the community—including state officials, child welfare leaders, nonprofit partners, and faith-based organizations—gathered to address a shared challenge: despite strong programs and committed people, too many families continue to struggle.

“We have good people with good programs, but one of the main problems is the resources are really fragmented in our communities,” said Paul Chapman of Restore Hope.

The 10:33 Initiative is designed to close that gap and continue to build upon and expand Restore Hope's 100 Families Initiative.

Rather than expecting individuals to navigate multiple systems on their own, the initiative connects service providers, government agencies, churches, and community organizations—helping families access support more effectively and in the right sequence.

“If you need two or more services at the same time, it may be very difficult to figure out where to go and how to access your service,” noted Chapman. “Being able to find the services that already exist and access them in the proper sequence can be very, very difficult.”

For families facing overlapping challenges like housing instability, unemployment, transportation barriers, and access to care, that coordination can mean the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.

At its core, the 10:33 Initiative reflects a shift in how communities approach support, ensuring that no matter where someone seeks help, they can be connected to a broader network of services. This approach reduces the burden on individuals who might otherwise be sent from office to office, trying to navigate complex systems on their own.

By aligning resources and improving communication, the initiative helps remove those barriers.

“The government cannot solve the crisis that these parents and children are facing and we need our partners of faith, businesses, to all walk alongside us to help these families,” said Tiffany Wright, the director of the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services.

“It is simple things like that builds long term success for kids,” added Wright.

Several speakers noted that local relationships, particularly through churches and community organizations, play a critical role in meeting both immediate and long-term needs.

Through tools like CarePortal, churches can respond to real-time needs such as food, furniture, or basic household items—needs that may seem small but can have a significant impact.

"In every community there are needs. In every community, there is a church to serve them," said Matt Whitson, the Executive Director of Arkansas Family Alliance, a statewide implementing partner of CarePortal in Arkansas.

Whitson explained that CarePortal is a tool that allows churches to submit urgent needs on behalf of families. Those in the network receive an email notification and can choose whether they are able to respond. Whitson noted that mattresses are a top request from families trying to move out of crisis.

“Imagine they’re sleeping on the floor. Then you get them a mattress and things change. A mattress can change everything,” noted Whitson.

A recurring theme throughout the event was the need to move beyond one-time services and toward lasting change. Government systems are often designed to address a single need at a time. But families in crisis are often facing multiple, interconnected challenges.

The 10:33 Initiative brings together both professional services and relational support, helping individuals not only access resources but build meaningful connections within their community.

Local leaders emphasized that the success of the initiative depends on collaboration. From service providers and churches to businesses and volunteers, the model relies on each partner contributing what they do best.

“It takes all of us,” said Jeff Piker of Restore Hope.

As Pope County begins implementation, the 10:33 Initiative represents more than a new approach—it reflects a broader shift toward coordination, connection, and shared responsibility.

By working together, the community is building a more responsive system of care—one that helps families move from crisis to stability and toward a stronger future.