Pope and Yell Counties Celebrate a Year of Hope & Restoration

Pope and Yell Counties celebrated a year of collaboration through the 100 Families Initiative and the Smart Justice District Court Initiative—two community-driven efforts supported by HopeHub, Restore Hope’s coordinated case management system. The event highlighted major milestones, moving personal stories, and the collective effort behind generational change in the River Valley.

As Lorie Hutto of Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services reminded the audience, “What we're celebrating today are really more than just numbers, right? We're celebrating growth. We're celebrating connection and celebrating that these communities believe that every family deserves the opportunity to thrive.”

Tiffany Beaudry, 100 Families Initiative Coordinator for Pope and Yell Counties, opened the celebration with a data point that reflected the impact collaboration has had for families.

“We have seen a 90% increase this year in reunification of our foster kids or placement with a relative.”

This kind of impact would not be possible without participation from the local DCFS staff.

“These are the people that are fighting hard in the trenches for these families, for the children of Pope and Yell County," praised Beaudry. "They work day and night. They work hard. And we appreciate y’all.”

Hutto spoke on behalf of DCFS and the state director Tiffany Wright, emphasizing the strength of the partnership.

"I want to express how grateful we are to be a part of this partnership, one that shows what can happen when organizations and community members and families come together with a shared purpose. These achievements are the result of collaboration among community partners who bring their time, talent and heart to the table every single day.

It reflects the strength and resilience of the families that we serve, families who show hope, courage and determination as they work toward stability and success."

The next milestone centered on the Smart Justice District Court Initiative (SJDCI), which partners with Restore Hope to help participants address root causes of court involvement.

Judge Deidre Luker, who works closely with Smart Justice participants, explained the program.

“It allows defendants who have a qualifying offense to be placed on probation and work services through our community providers to help better themselves. If they do those things, then they can obtain dismissal of charges or forgiveness of fines or both.”

She described the joy of seeing participants come to court proud of their progress.

“It’s rewarding to see people come into court and be happy to tell you about what’s going on. That's not typically the forum for that but to see them smile and be proud of themselves is rewarding.”

Among the participants honored at the event was Chris Andrews, who had received support from the Smart Justice District Court Initiative. He shared that during a period of deep personal struggle—while his mother was recovering from an attack in Ukraine and he was without stable employment—SJDCI stepped in when he made a mistake. The program helped him get back on track, secure a job, and rebuild his life. With renewed hope, he was even able to save money and support his father, a retired veteran.

"I'm just so happy thanks to them and I know some of those numbers might look big to people but it's just the normal people like me that they help out."

Josie Lechtenberg of the Smart Justice District Court Initiative spoke about the importance of a judge’s willingness to offer alternative sentencing and highlighted Judge Luker’s commitment to going above and beyond for participants.

“There have been, I think, 30 or more people that have been able to get their driver's license back just because of the opportunities that she’s giving people. Many of the participants have said [Judge Luker's] support means the world to them and it keeps them going.”

The 100 Families Initiative has served 582 families in Pope and Yell Counties alone, walking with them to meet their goals and build better futures for themselves and their children.

Jeff Piker, Community Success Manager for Restore Hope reflected on how the Restore Hope model has brought national attention with federal and state leaders across the country making the trip to Arkansas this past year.

“People have come from all over the United States to find out what’s happening here. Because of you and because of what's happening in our community, people know that 582 families have been served and helped.”

Piker emphasized that community resources—not any single agency—make the work possible.

“No one person has all the answers. But when we come together, there's someone who can help...We know a guy, somebody in our community, can make the difference.”

Russellville Mayor Fred Teague also attended the event, expressing his strong support for the initiative and deep appreciation for its impact. He shared candidly about how the work affects him personally and spoke with emotion about the importance of the community’s efforts.

“The creator of all things has chosen you...He chose to use you for his purpose, to literally change generations. Because that's what we're doing here. That's what 100 families is about, is generational change. It's not about getting you a job...It's not about getting you a house through ESG. It's not even about any of that. It's about generational change. And that's what we're here for. I am humbled to get to be included in this room with the people that I sit here."

Mayor Teague emphasized the dedication of the community partners who are working together across Pope and Yell Counties.

"People ask me, what can we do for you? Do what you're doing. You're making our community better. You're showing up every day, and because of you, Russellville, River Valley, Dardanelle, London, Dover, Morrilton, Clarksville is better because of what you do.”

“It really is moving," Arkansas State Senator Breanne Davis echoed Mayor Teague's sentiments. "Because of the leaders in this room, we are on a completely different trajectory for our state, making a difference, changing the landscape for generations to come."

She reflected on the impact of seeing the work in its entirety and praised the community’s refusal to ignore suffering:

“You guys are refusing to look the other way. And I think that matters a lot. Wherever we are, we can make a difference. We can start today. We can say yes to something.”

Pope and Yell Counties are proving what’s possible when a community unites around hope, collaboration, and shared purpose. With reunification rates rising, fines forgiven, restored driver’s licenses, and increases in employment, the impact reaches far beyond numbers. This celebration marked not an end—but the continuation of a movement where agencies and families don’t walk alone and communities refuse to look the other way.