NONPROFIT
By Tricia Moore | Photos courtesy of Peace at Home Family Shelter
Safeguarding Peace at Home for the Next 50 Years
In 1977, in a quiet house on Mountain Street in Fayetteville, a group of community members began a legacy of sanctuary in Northwest Arkansas. From that single house almost five decades ago, Peace at Home Family Shelter — the first domestic violence shelter in the state of Arkansas — has become the expansive, lifesaving organization it is today.
​
It is a critical lifeline for adults and children — one that provided an incredible 10,819 nights of safe shelter to its clients in 2025, and with the recent addition of the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary, also provided 6,687 nights of safe shelter to family pets. Additionally, Peace at Home provides legal representation and assistance to their families as well as counseling services. Staff also manage crisis calls, with a staggering 1,197 calls logged in 2025 alone.
​
Detailed service records only go back 10 years, said Development Director Eva Terry, and in that time, the agency has provided support to more than 8,000 people in our community. Peace at Home estimates that over the course of its almost 50-year history, the number is likely more than 25,000 families helped.
Peace at Home Family Shelter staff (Photo by Chris Lastra)
The Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary was a gamechanger for Peace at Home. It helped the nonprofit — which has a whole-family philosophy — expand its services. Most shelters cannot accept animals, forcing survivors to choose between their safety and their pets. Half of all survivors delay leaving because they fear for their pets’ safety. Providing those 6,687 nights of shelter for pets enabled hundreds of families to stay together during their darkest moments.
​
Terry noted that in 2025, 244 families received legal assistance — support that goes far beyond mere paperwork. For many, legal representation for an order of protection, divorce or custody case is what transforms a temporary escape into a permanent life of freedom from domestic violence.
​
As the organization stands on this cusp of its 50th anniversary, it faces a modern challenge: a significant reduction in federal funding. Federal funding makes up more than 50% of its budget. A loss in Victims of Crime Act funding is one part of that budget cut. But emergency funds from the American Rescue Plan Act are also expiring soon. The future of federal funding to the shelter is uncertain. A loss here isn’t just a budget item, it means fewer counseling sessions and fewer safe nights of shelter.
​
With the funding step back, which threatens the very services the community has relied on for half a century, Peace at Home is actively seeking new funding sources, building stronger partnerships, applying for grants and launching a giving circle called the Mountain Society. It is also calling on support from neighbors, friends and leaders of Northwest Arkansas.
“Peace at Home was born out of a grassroots response to families in our community who needed a safe way to escape domestic violence, and our ability to continue this work still depends on that same spirit of community support,” Terry said. “Every week, our team comes together to talk through the realities families are facing and how we can help them begin building the lives they deserve. These are difficult conversations, but for nearly 50 years, our focus has remained on centering families and finding compassionate, creative ways to support them.”
​
One new way to give is through the Mountain Society, which is a nod to Peace at Home’s first shelter on Mountain Street. While federal grants often come with restrictions, community funding, such as this newly launched giving circle, allows for flexible innovation. This is a circle of support designed to ensure that while federal budgets may shift, Northwest Arkansans can step into the gap through their generosity.
​
As Peace at Home Family Shelter prepares to celebrate a half-century of service, the focus is less on looking back and more on looking forward and ensuring the shelter remains a sanctuary for families fleeing abuse.
​
“Leaving an abusive relationship is one of the hardest things a person can do,” Terry said. “As government funding becomes increasingly uncertain, community support is essential to keeping this life-saving work possible. If this work speaks to you, now truly is the time to get involved.”
​
Northwest Arkansas has a deep history of stepping up for neighbors in need. By investing in Peace at Home, our community could protect the next 25,000 people who will need a doorway to a new life.
How You Can Help Fulfill the Mission
• Join the Mountain Society: Become a foundational supporter by joining the giving circle. Membership tiers offer various impact levels; visit www.peaceathomeshelter.org/mountain-society to learn more.
​
• Give Monthly as a “Friend of Peace”: Gifts of any amount allow the shelter to plan for the future. For instance, a gift of $20 a month can cover the legal filing fees a survivor needs to start a new life.
​
• Support the Peace at Home Thrift Store: Donate gently used clothing, furniture and household essentials. Clients receive vouchers to shop at the store for necessities. Proceeds from sales to the public help fund agency programs.
​
• Organize a Drive: Gather friends or coworkers to collect needed items, such as bedding and full-sized hygiene products.
​
• Attend Local Events: Watch for community fundraisers such as the annual Courage Awards luncheon or local partnerships.
To make an immediate financial contribution, visit www.peaceathomeshelter.org/donate or mail a check to P.O. Box 10946, Fayetteville, AR 72703.