Single mothers will soon get additional help - KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - A ground breaking ceremony took place on the property of Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro on Monday.

City representatives and church members came out to celebrate the beginning of construction of a new Family Care Ministry facility.

This project has been made possible through Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes, the Central Baptist Church and the Buck Rusher family.

David Perry, Executive Director of Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries, says this is a chance to keep families together. "This is an opportunity to keep mothers with children," Perry said. "There are so many single mothers and situations. Maybe they're behind on their rent or maybe they're about to be foreclosed on their home and they need a place to go. We want to help them be good parents and to be independent and productive members of society."

Mayor Harold Perrin says this is great for the city of Jonesboro. "This home will be for single parent ladies with children," Perrin said. "Things of this nature and that's an area we've been looking at and trying to cover through our vision 2030. And this facility will specialize in that."

Perry says this new facility will be more than just a place to live. "This will give us an opportunity to give them a place to live at no cost to them and give them," Perry said. "It will also give them the opportunity to increase their education, learn vocational skills. This will be a place where they can be safe and secure and cared for and loved."

Perry says they are all excited to see ground finally breaking on this project. "Now that this is actually happening," Perry said. "We're just thrilled. We're so excited that we'll actually be a part of providing this kind of ministry here."

Perry says they will work to help mothers get back on their feet with whatever they need. "This is about women who need a helping hand," Perry said. "The opportunity to kind of get back on their feet and to provide for their children and the resources will be numerous as we help these ladies find work, find transportation, learn parenting skills and be able to be in the workforce and to be able to take care of themselves and their children."

The project will cost around $750,000 and take eight months to complete. Once finished, Perry says it should house seven mothers and their children. It will be located on the grounds of the Central Baptist Church.

For more information about Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes, log onto this website.

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