When Jessica O’Malley walked into the 100 Families Initiative in July 2022, her life had reached its most fragile point. She was homeless, separated from her four children, struggling with addiction, and facing both criminal and child welfare cases. Years of trauma and loss had stripped away her stability, but not her will to try.
“When my mom died, I kind of went downhill from there. And then my husband left. I had a miscarriage, and I started using drugs really bad. And next thing I know, I'm homeless, living on people's couches. I felt helpless and like there's no way out.”
Her children were living with relatives, and Jessica had no transportation, no childcare, and no reliable income. She was exhausted, hungry, and nearly out of hope—until she found the 100 Families Initiative.
“I found Amanda and she's been by my side ever since.”
Her Family Advocate, Amanda, recalls that moment clearly:
“Jessica arrived with a spark of determination that never once wavered. She showed up even when everything around her was falling apart.”
Small but significant steps began reshaping Jessica’s path:
Restore Hope’s Family Stability Program paid a critical $600 car repair so she could look for work.
She secured a job at The Vault restaurant.
She found temporary housing in Fort Smith—though the house had no hot water, no heat, and serious livability issues.
Community partners immediately stepped in:
CSCDC provided LIHEAP utility assistance.
Head Start supported her children with clothing, food, and childcare.
Fort Smith Public Schools FIT Liaison Jeanne Carroll helped meet basic needs.
Restore Hope’s Court Resolution Team advocated for her as legal challenges mounted.
Onin Staffing guided her through job searches.
But progress was fragile. As 2022 closed, Jessica lost her job. Her driver’s license was suspended due to a failure to appear, and warrants were issued. Homelessness returned, and she found herself staying in motels with no clear way forward.
Then came the moment that changed her trajectory.
“DCFS finally did take my kids. And I was living on the streets. I had nowhere else to go. I was hungry most nights."
During this time, Amanda met Jessica in the community corrections building in Fort Smith—the same place Amanda had once met her own advocate as a 100 Families participant.
Support continued to rally:
Fort Smith Housing Authority helped with housing applications.
Jessica secured work at Burger King.
Community Rescue Mission provided a bus pass so she could get to work.
Still, homelessness persisted. One night, Jessica came to the 100 Families office with nowhere to sleep. Central Christian Church immediately paid for a motel room to ensure her safety.
It was a turning point.
In November 2023, Jessica walked into the office looking different—hopeful.
She had 30 days clean.
Supported by Dr. Paul’s Drug and Treatment Center in Eureka Springs, and encouraged by a man named Barry who never stopped showing up for her, Jessica stepped fully into recovery.
She began rebuilding every part of her life:
Chance for Change helped expunge old charges.
She took GED classes and completed community service at Crawford County Adult Education.
She completed the Triple P parenting class with Trudy and Steven Smith.
She started full-time work at Twin Rivers, and The Purple Patch provided work boots so she could begin.
Community Rescue Mission helped with gas assistance.
She was paying fines, paying child support, and restoring hope for her family.
“[DCFS] helped me get whatever I need for the kids. They helped me more than I thought they would when they first took them… It take takes a lot of people to help, and they were there every time I needed it.”
By spring of 2024, Jessica’s momentum was unstoppable.
In April, she was approved for housing at Mill Creek Apartments.
Sebastian County DCFS paid her deposit and first month’s rent.
Arkansas Family Alliance provided beds for her children.
She completed in-home parenting classes.
In mid-2024, Jessica began trial home placement with her two youngest children. By December, she regained full custody—and her child welfare case closed.
She regained her driver’s license, purchased a car, and earned a job at Quantum Plastics, quickly advancing to shift leader.
Just when life was stabilizing, tragedy hit.
“On April 5th, my brother was found dead in a ditch. He was murdered and when we found him, it was hard. It took a lot to stay strong and not relapse.”
Jessica chose resilience.
“Every time I felt weak, I went to my kids and they gave me the help I needed to stay strong. I got so much love around me. It's amazing.”
Jessica now has more than two years clean. She has stable housing, reliable transportation, full-time employment, and a safe, loving home where her children are thriving.
Her Family Advocate, Amanda, says:
“Jessica is proof that when a community refuses to give up on a mother, she learns never to give up on herself.”
Jessica now hopes to pursue Arkansas Peer Recovery training and support others facing the battles she has overcome.
Smart Justice is a magazine, podcast, and continuing news coverage from the nonprofit Restore Hope and covers the pursuit of better outcomes on justice system-related issues, such as child welfare, incarceration, and juvenile justice. Our coverage is solutions-oriented, focusing on the innovative ways in which communities are solving issues and the lessons that have been learned as a result of successes and challenges.
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