Building a Sanctuary

Forest of Hope
Family Peace Center

A game-changer for Arkansas: the services a survivor needs, under one roof — to escape violence and rebuild their lives.

Legal Aid • Counseling • Housing • Healthcare • Job Training • Children's Services • Case Management • and more

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$24M

Campaign Goal

132

Beds

22+

Partner Agencies

1st

In Arkansas

June 2026

Opening

An affiliated initiative of Women & Children First

Our Purpose: To provide a collaborative, co-located model of services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, and related abuse.

Our Vision: A future where victims' and survivors' needs are met, families heal and thrive, violence fades, and hope is realized.

Guiding Principles

Survivor-driven Kindness & respect Hope-centered Safety-focused Intentionally diverse & inclusive Empowering survivors, families & communities

You Don't Have to Stay With Us to Get Help From Us

You don't need to enter shelter to get support. Walk-in services are available for anyone experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking — no matter where you're staying tonight.

Case Management & Advocacy

Children's Services

Counseling & Mental Health

Legal Advocacy & Protection Orders

Prosecution Support

Safety Planning

Getting Started Is Simple

Call the hotline

Speak with an advocate

Discuss your needs

Get connected

Begin your journey

800-332-4443 Chat Now

All services are completely free and confidential. No referral needed — just call.

Why This Works

A proven model that transforms lives and communities

For Survivors

The heart of everything we do

Tell your story once, not 22 times
One navigator through every step
Faster path to safety & stability

2,500+

served annually

90%

complete care

For Children

Breaking the cycle early

Protected from repeated trauma
Age-appropriate therapy on-site
Better outcomes at school

1,000+

children/year

Safe

environment

For Arkansas

Statewide transformation

Reduced DV homicides
Fewer ER visits & 911 calls
Breaking the cycle for generations

300+

families/year

in Arkansas

Step 1

The Problem

Right now, survivors in Little Rock must visit 22 different locations across the city to rebuild their lives. They spend 4-6 weeks traveling by bus, retelling their traumatic story 22 times to strangers, and facing 22 opportunities to give up and go back.

locations to visit

4-6

weeks of travel

22x

retelling trauma

chances to give up

Step 2

Everything Under One Roof

The Forest of Hope Family Peace Center changes everything. Instead of taking buses to 22 locations across the city, she walks across the hall. Police officers, prosecutors, counselors, legal advocates, housing specialists, employment services, medical professionals, children's advocates—the people she needs are right there.

location

3-4

days, not weeks

story told once

navigator

The Result

The Obstacles Fall Away

The biggest obstacles that cause survivors to give up? They disappear. What once took 4-6 weeks now takes days. Survivors can focus on healing instead of logistics — completing their care, rebuilding their lives, and breaking the cycle of violence.

Strategic Partner

The Proven Model

Recognized as a best practice by the U.S. Department of Justice

In 2002, Casey Gwinn, then-District Attorney of San Diego and now president of the Alliance for HOPE International, created the Family Justice Center model when he saw the domestic homicide rate in his city skyrocketing. His revolutionary idea: bring the agencies a survivor needs together, under one roof.

The results were immediate and dramatic. San Diego's domestic homicide rate dropped—fast.

The Forest of Hope Family Peace Center is an affiliated member of the Alliance for HOPE International, operating within nationally recognized best practices for Family Justice Centers.

300+

Centers Open Internationally

Have Failed

100%

Success Rate

1st

In Arkansas

Our Partner Agencies

14+ agencies working together under one roof

6th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

Little Rock Police Department

Children's Protection Center

University of Arkansas

Arkansas Children's

UAMS

North Little Rock Police Department

ACADV

Arkansas Workforce Center

Centers for Youth and Families

Camp Aldersgate

CATCH

Immerse Arkansas

Our House

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department

ACCARD

Logo

Whisperwood Apartments

Philander Smith University

Shorter College

Pulaski County Humane Society

Hounds Lounge

McMahan Counseling

Karisma Consulting

Two Men & a Truck

Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce

United Way of Central Arkansas

Logo

L.O.V.E.

River City Ministry

City of Little Rock

Arkansas Children's SW LR Community Clinic

Logo

Pulaski County Health Unit SW Little Rock

Logo

SW Little Rock Community Center

Dee Brown Library

LR Police Department SW Division

St. Theresa's Catholic School

Exalt Academy

Women & Children First

More partners to be announced

View Full List of Services

First Look

The Forest of Hope

Arkansas's first Family Peace Center - designed for healing, safety, and hope.

Forest of Hope Family Peace Center rendering

Building Hope

From vision to reality - our journey to transform Arkansas

2013-2024

11 Years of Research & Planning

Studying Family Peace Centers nationwide, building partnerships with 22+ agencies, and designing Arkansas's model.

October 2024

Breaking Ground!

Construction officially begins. This historic moment marks a new chapter for Arkansas families escaping violence.

Watch Video

Now

Construction & Fundraising Underway

Working toward our $24 million campaign goal to complete construction and launch operations.

Join the Campaign

2026

Opening Day

The Forest of Hope Family Peace Center opens its doors — Arkansas's first Family Peace Center, and a leading model for coordinated, survivor-centered care.

For Survivors

VOICES Survivor Advocacy Network

Are you a survivor who wants to help others? VOICES is a network of domestic and sexual violence survivors who advocate for victims in crisis, educate the public, and support Family Peace Centers.

Learn More

Steering Committee

Guiding the vision and development of the Forest of Hope Family Peace Center.

Committee Leadership

Committee Members

Be Part of Arkansas History

The Forest of Hope will save lives for generations. Your gift today helps make it possible.

Donate Now Contact Us

Secure donation. Tax-deductible.