Little Rock, AR. (September 29, 2021) - In just 10 days in August, 125,000 people cast more than 3 Million votes in support of their favorite causes. As a result, 40 communities, in 18 states, including The CALL in Arkansas will be getting an assist from State Farm®. State Farm is proud to announce the Top 40 vote-getting causes that have won $25,000 grants to improve their communities.
State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a crowd-sourced philanthropic program that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhoods. Non-profits affiliated with each of the top 40 causes receive grants to address them.
The CALL started in 2007 after a group of concerned individuals came together to look for a way to provide for children in foster care. What started in one county, quickly spread to other counties. In 2010, The CALL became a statewide organization and is now active in 57 counties around Arkansas. The goal is to serve all 75 counties in the state, so that whenever and wherever a child comes into foster care, that child will find a welcoming foster home in their own community. The CALL just celebrated its 14th year of operation, helping meet the needs of children and youth in foster care throughout Arkansas. More than 23,000 children have been cared for by over 2,600 families recruited by The CALL. Over 1,800 children have been adopted into their forever family as a result. The CALL works closely with the Arkansas DCFS. Today, 60% of foster families statewide were recruited/trained by The CALL. Our services are provided at no cost to the state of Arkansas or families.
We need "more than enough" foster homes to provide the most appropriate home to meet the needs of children and youth in foster care who have experienced trauma. Currently, there are 4,899 children and youth in foster care in Arkansas, with only 1,560 homes available. When children enter care, over 55% cannot stay in their hometown. Many are already behind in school because of the circumstances resulting in their removal. Without enough homes in their local communities, they are forced to leave all that they know. More than enough homes would allow these children to stay in their local communities. Funds provided through this grant will provide training and support to foster and adoptive families, as well as the recruitment of additional families.
Jill Bobo, Development Director of The CALL, said, “The CALL is thrilled to be the only organization in Arkansas selected for the neighborhood assist grant program. We appreciate our supporters and community members across the state voting for The CALL.”
Two thousand cause submissions were accepted in June at www.neighborhoodassist.com. The State Farm Review Committee selected the Top 200 finalists and public voting determined the Top 40. In the ten years of the program, more than 380 causes have received a total of $10 million to enact change in their communities.