Harding University to Lead 100 Families Initiative in White County

In a milestone moment for White County, Harding University has formally signed on to take a key role in White County’s 100 Families Initiative, a community movement dedicated to helping families move from crisis to stability and ultimately into thriving lives and careers.

Speaking at the announcement, Harding's Director of Community Connections Andrew Baker reflected on the journey that led to this partnership. In 2016, Baker was first introduced to Restore Hope, a statewide initiative launched under former Governor Asa Hutchinson and led by Paul Chapman. The program set out to address two critical issues: the growing number of children in foster care and the high rate of Arkansans returning to prison after release.

“For every two people who get out, one will go back,” Baker explained. “The reality is that most of those who return don’t reoffend. They go back because they can’t pay their fines. It’s kind of hard to be a dad if you’re locked up in prison.”

That experience spurred Harding students to get involved, with seven interns joining Restore Hope efforts in the summer of 2016. Those early connections laid the groundwork for what has become the 100 Families Initiative.

Baker described 100 Families as more than a program—it’s a movement. “It’s for the community and by the community,” he said. The initiative connects families in crisis with coordinated support across housing, employment, transportation, childcare, and mental health. The goal is simple but ambitious: to make families whole.

The University’s new role as the backbone organization signals a deep institutional commitment. Harding faculty, staff, and students will join alongside community partners to provide training, technology, data, and oversight in support of families.

Somebody said the other day, ‘Well, this 100 Families thing is for social work.’ It is for social work—but it’s also for all the work we aspire to do on this campus,” Baker said. “We want to help families in our community to thrive.”

Local leaders including Sheriff Phillip Miller, Mayor Mat Faulkner, and State Representative Keith Brooks, a Harding graduate, attended the event to celebrate the announcement.

The initiative has also become a platform for student engagement. The 100 Families logo itself was originally designed by Harding graphic design students, a symbol of how the campus community contributes to the broader mission.

At the event, Restore Hope Executive Director Paul Chapman and Harding University President Dr. Mike Williams signed the agreement formalizing the partnership.

The signing marks not just an official partnership but a new chapter in Harding’s mission to serve its community—one family at a time. For Baker, the most important outcome is what this work represents. "I’m excited today to know that we’re going to have an opportunity to love our neighbors,” he said.