Bethlehem House
By: Sydney Hart, KARK 4 News
Updated: May 14, 2007
A local organization is working to raise awareness about homelessness in an area county.
The reason, 19% of families in Arkansas live in poverty.
In Faulkner county around 9,000 people in live in poverty and over 3,000 of those are children.
A white house nestled off the streets of downtown Conway is known as the Bethlehem House .
It exists to assist those who are "down on their luck."
"There are 92 individuals that we know of that are homeless, so if we're aware of that many I'm sure that number is higher," explains Judi Lively, Bethlehem House executive director.
Bethlehem House believes in giving folks a hand up instead of a hand-out, this Christian transitional shelter re-teaches life habits for those in need.
"Transitional is a longer term homeless shelter. They can stay here up to 2 years, but they have to get a job in the first 30 days. They have to stay drug and alcohol free," adds Lively.
Once a resident has a job, 50% of their salary goes directly to a monitored savings account and 20% covers a housing fee.
"The mission is to encourage, equip, and motivate the homeless and nearly homeless men, women, and children to change their life situation," says Lively.
"It's a home I never had," explains a Bethlehem resident.
Despite her fears of being recognized, a resident -- who we will call "Sarah" --- was eager to share her life-changing experiences at Bethlehem House.
"I found God here. I found a new hope in life and what life means without the use of drugs in my life today," says "Sarah."
If you'd like to help the Bethlehem House nows your chance
They're hosting a "Sleep Out" this Friday starting at 6 p.m. at Estes Stadium on the UCA campus in Conway.
Don't forget a cardboard box if you plan on staying the night.
The reason, 19% of families in Arkansas live in poverty.
In Faulkner county around 9,000 people in live in poverty and over 3,000 of those are children.
A white house nestled off the streets of downtown Conway is known as the Bethlehem House .
It exists to assist those who are "down on their luck."
"There are 92 individuals that we know of that are homeless, so if we're aware of that many I'm sure that number is higher," explains Judi Lively, Bethlehem House executive director.
Bethlehem House believes in giving folks a hand up instead of a hand-out, this Christian transitional shelter re-teaches life habits for those in need.
"Transitional is a longer term homeless shelter. They can stay here up to 2 years, but they have to get a job in the first 30 days. They have to stay drug and alcohol free," adds Lively.
Once a resident has a job, 50% of their salary goes directly to a monitored savings account and 20% covers a housing fee.
"The mission is to encourage, equip, and motivate the homeless and nearly homeless men, women, and children to change their life situation," says Lively.
"It's a home I never had," explains a Bethlehem resident.
Despite her fears of being recognized, a resident -- who we will call "Sarah" --- was eager to share her life-changing experiences at Bethlehem House.
"I found God here. I found a new hope in life and what life means without the use of drugs in my life today," says "Sarah."
If you'd like to help the Bethlehem House nows your chance
They're hosting a "Sleep Out" this Friday starting at 6 p.m. at Estes Stadium on the UCA campus in Conway.
Don't forget a cardboard box if you plan on staying the night.
