Success Stories

Southern’s policy team helped to enact the shell legislation for the Arkansas Housing Trust Fund in 2009.

Career Pathways seeks to provide financial assistance for low-income individuals who want to take career training and college classes at an Arkansas two-year college.

In 2008, Southern’s policy team helped to secure state funding for the Aspiring Scholars Matching Grant program for Arkansas 529 college savings accounts.

Southern’s policy team helped increase the state minimum wage in Arkansas by 21% in 2006.

On March 18, 2008, Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel ordered payday lenders licensed and regulated in Arkansas to stop making loans and forgive all outstanding loans.

Southern provided grant funding to renovate the dying Main Street in Drew, MS.

Southern worked with several partners to finance and build a $4.5 million health and wellness facility.

Phillips County residents decided that visitors’ first impressions of their county seat should match the new positive direction of their community.

Residents identified the formation of biodiesel industry as a goal in the Phillips County Strategic Community Plan; however, they were unsure how to attract the industry to Phillips County. After Southern funded a $30,000 feasibility study, the numbers compelled a local investor group to capitalize on the opportunity.

Helena’s old Main Street buildings were in danger of collapse. Southern provided the $30,000 matching grant for a $500,000 building stabilization effort on historic Cherry Street.

The residents of Phillips County identified the creation of a Boys & Girls Club as a key objective in their strategic plan.

Southern Place is a $1.5 million low-income housing development of 20 apartments nestled around a large outdoor common area with a gazebo, flower gardens, and picnic areas.

Southern provided $1.4 million in financing along with $400,000 in grants from the Walton Family Foundation to support the KIPP charter school in Helena.

The Jones family enrolled in the Asset Builders program June 2005 to save for an addition to their home.

Career Pathway convinced me to futher my education in the medical field. I received a certificate in Medical Terminology, and I currently have a 4.0 GPA.

Melva is a Katrina survivor that found purpose and hope in the state of Arkansas when Katrina and the floods in Louisiana swept over her life. FEMA and the Department of Human Services referred Melva to the IDA program. She with four other family members quickly responded and enrolled in the program.

Jenise “Sandy” Blake had a savings account before enrolling in the Asset Builders program, but had no defined, goal-oriented system of saving.

With help from Career Pathways, Melissa completed her Associates Degree in Radiology.

Melissa feels without Career Pathways coming along when it did she would not have been able to finish her goal of becoming a nurse. She was able to access Career Pathway’s transportation assistance and continue through the end to graduation, also receiving help to pay for her costly certification and year-end tests.

Robbie works as a CNA to pay the bills and feed her family. She is very thankful to have the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, and is on her way to accomplishing that dream. She graduated in December 2007 with her LPN, and will reenter the next year to earn her RN degree.

Lisa Smith came to Career Pathways to fulfill her dream of getting an education in Emergency Medical Technology.