About Us
Welcome to Methodist Family Health Foundation
Our Mission
The Foundation supports the mission of Methodist Family Health to provide the best possible care to those who may need our help. Since 1899, we have been rebuilding the lives of Arkansans who experience abandonment, abuse and neglect or struggle with psychiatric, behavioral and emotional issues.
Our History
Established in 1899 as the Arkansas Methodist Orphanage and later known widely as the Methodist Children’s Home, Methodist Family Health (MFH) has a long-standing history and dedication to Arkansas children and families. While we continue to honor our roots in our name, we serve all those who need our help regardless of their religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs.
Our story began when Colonel George Thornburgh and other thoughtful Arkansas Methodists opened an orphanage to provide short-term care for children and help them find homes. When orphanages progressed into group homes that housed a smaller number of residents, our purpose changed from finding a home for those in our care to making a home for each child. Since then, MFH has continued to evolve to meet varying mental health needs and expanded programs in communities across our state. We now serve more than 4,000 individuals and their families each year through an array of services that includes inpatient behavioral hospitals, residential treatment, therapeutic day school, outpatient clinics, school-based counseling programs, Kaleidoscope Grief Center and Arkansas CARES (Center for Addiction Research, Education and Services), a recovery program for pregnant women and mothers.
While donations and philanthropic support date further back, the Foundation was officially incorporated as the nonprofit arm of Methodist Family Health and an independent 501(c)3 in 2004. The Foundation raises money and receives in-kind donations to provide those in our care the essential items not covered by insurance and amenities that aid their therapeutic journeys.
Foundation Programs
Many of those in the care of MFH struggle to afford necessities, so the Foundation provides essential items not covered by insurance and amenities that aid their therapeutic journeys. These Foundation programs allow clients to focus on healing while offering a sense of comfort, dignity and peace:
Donation Closet Clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, educational items & more.
Compassion Fund Specific needs like glasses, musical instruments & sensory materials.
Scholarships Awards for former residents to further their education.
Transportation Assistance Support for families who need help getting to facilities or appointments.
Inspirational Materials Optional adult & children’s bibles, devotionals, journals & books.
Birthday & Christmas Presents Gifts on these special occasions & during the holidays.
Camp Healing Hearts Free grief camp for children & families who have experienced loss.
Summer Camp Enriching experience for youth in our residential care.
Art Therapy Outlet to process experiences not easily expressed in words.
FY25 Impact
Arkansans served
Volunteer-made fleece blankets given to kids entering care
foster children celebrated birthdays in our care
butterflies released at a Kaleidoscope Kids group meeting to honor lost loved ones
compassion funds provided for special therapeutic requests like musical instruments and sensory toys
years of kids attending summer camp for those in residential care
Christmas lists fulfilled
scholarships awarded since 2016
mental health services provided
State Fair ribbons awarded for art created by Day Treatment Students
gas cards provided for transportation assistance
pregnant women & mothers received support entering substance abuse recovery at AR Cares
Impact illustrated for Fiscal Year 2024 includes activities from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Melanie & Matt Buchanan explain Methodist Family Health Foundation’s mission
The Buchanans talk about how Methodist Family Health creates a family-like environment for those in foster care or struggling with their mental health. They highlight their favorite story from the days of Methodist Children’s Home.
Meet the Foundation Team
Our team is here to further our mission as we serve those in the care of Methodist Family Health, working with our partners and donors to provide the essentials and necessities that support our clients on their healing journeys. We collaborate daily with community-minded individuals and organizations looking to make a difference.
Amanda Smith, CFRE
Executive Director
amanda.smith@methodistfamily.org
S. Lee Rush
Community Engagement Manager
slrush@methodistfamily.org
Lindsey Simmons
Director of Communications
lsimmons@methodistfamily.org
Jamie Griffith
Development Manager
jgriffith@methodistfamily.org
Christy McCreight
Volunteer & Grants Manager
cmccreight@methodistfamily.org
Nikki Shannon
Development Officer, Northeast Arkansas
nshannon@methodistfamily.org
Rev. Dr. Michael Mattox
Church Relations Associate
mmattox@methodistfamily.org
Jaszmyne McKenzie
Foundation Assistant
jmckenzie@methodistfamily.org
The Board of Directors
Under the guidance of our esteemed Board of Directors, the Foundation is an established and trusted steward of the donations we receive, meeting the immediate needs of the children and families we serve.
Officers
- Chair Jan Green
- Vice Chair & Methodist Family Health CEO Andy Altom
- Investment & Finance Chair Ray Dillon
- Secretary Jim Duckett
- Nominations Chair Cody Simon
- Scholarship Chair Pam Gadberry
- Foundation Executive Director Amanda Smith
Members
- Brenda Bailey
- Linda Barnes
- John Borchert
- Jamelle Brown
- Clay Gordon
- Marci Hall
- Arita Jewart
- Bill Mann
- Don Riggin
- Sherry Rowbotham
- Max Sharp
- Cody Simon
- Neill Sloan
- Bill Spivey
- Abbie Stalnaker
- Ritter Arnold, Emeritus
- Misty Baugh, Emerita
- Becky Kossover, Emerita
- Clefton Vaughan, Emeritus
- Don Weaver, Emeritus
Do You Qualify for Our Scholarship?
Methodist Family Health Foundation is proud to provide financial assistance to qualified former clients looking to further their education. These scholarships are available for all semesters, depending on eligibility and fund availability.
Scholarships are available for post-secondary programs in vocational/technical programs, trade schools, college or graduate school.
Our scholarship endowment was made possible by Olin C. Chambers and Gradelle Leigh. More than $558,000 in scholarships have been awarded since 2016.
Need More Information?
Email Amanda Smith at amanda.smith@methodistfamily.
Requirements
If you are a current or former residential client interested in financial assistance to support you as you work towards building a better future, we encourage you to submit an application with the following:
Unofficial transcript with most recent high school or college semester’s grades