VAN BUREN, Ark. — A program in Van Buren that offers help to women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse is back open.
The Monarch 61 Project had to close because of a lack of funding, but it's now open again after re-evaluating its operation.
"Part of what we love to do here at Monarch 61 is stand in the gap for women that maybe have trauma is their story, and just be that nice landing space for them to find safe community, to find new friendship, to find whatever they need on their journey," said Nicole Walton, the executive director of Monarch 61.
Walton says that the mission began three years ago, and it proved to be very successful, but financial strain took effect.
"We are a new nonprofit, which is really hard in this particular financial climate to raise money," Walton explained. "We're still, you know, we're still building data. We're still building that financial record that a lot of people like to see before we can get into the grant writing game and just be really fruitful in different fundraising avenues."
Part of the re-evaluation was starting a program called 100 Days Strong; 100 volunteers, 100 monthly donors, and 100 tangible donations.
"Tangible donations is anytime we get anything that is a gift and is something that we need in the space, whether it's copy paper or toilet paper, it's money that we don't have to spend out of programming dollars," Walton said.
Walton says that the effort during the next 100 days it to basically reconnect.
"It's been a really incredible, just beautiful outpouring of love from the community," Walton said. "We've done our due diligence over the last three years to build some really great partnerships with a lot of our crisis intervention services."
Walton says that the group is gearing up to fundraise over the next 100 days. If you would like to find out more about the program and how to be a part of the 100 Days Strong campaign, click here.
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