Late in 1989, a group of Conway citizens came together with a shared concern the Faulkner County homeless.
To determine if their concern was justified, the Community Action Program of Central Arkansas, a local emergency provision relief agency, made an informal survey of its clients. During a six week period, from February 1st to March 15th, 1990, the study identified 160 homeless adults and children in the Faulkner County area.
In May, 1991, the group leased a house in Conway and began renovations. After over 10,000 hours of volunteer labor and copious material donations, the shelter was completed. It opened its door in October, 1991, with the name Bethlehem House.
Since that time, Bethlehem House has been actively serving the homeless and nearly homeless in Faulkner County. As our mission statement says, Bethlehem House seeks to encourage, equip and motivate homeless individuals and families to take the necessary steps to change their life situations. To intentionally accomplish our mission, here are some of the ways we work with our residents and community:
Our residents are required to:
• Find a job within 30-45 days of moving in
• Save 50% of income and pay 20% toward housing
• Attend life skills training
• Attend money management classes
• Remain drug and alcohol free
• Help with household chores
• Acquire a GED if they do not have a high school education
Residents have access to:
• Addiction counseling
• Pastoral counseling
• After school tutoring
• Parenting classes
• Transportation
• Mental health counseling
We provide for non-residents in need by:
• Serving dinner each night at 6:00pm
• Offering the use of a washer and dryer
• Offering the use of showers
• Loaning bicycles for travel
• Providing lockers for day use
• Giving bags of food
Each year Bethlehem House:
• shelters an average of 90 homeless men, women and children
• serves over 20,000 meals to the homeless and hungry
