Pathfinder Northwest Arkansas unveiled its new group home in Cave Springs for adults with developmental disabilities at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 24.

The nonprofit organization, which operates out of its day center in Bentonville, supports individuals with developmental disabilities through onsite programs and assisted living services. Its day program serves just over 100 participants.

Pathfinder has one other group home at its Cave Springs site that houses four residents. The new group home — formerly the day center before the organization relocated to Bentonville — has been remodeled to accommodate eight residents and features a spacious common area and kitchen.

“We've needed this, the area has needed this for a long time,” said Tom Larimer, Pathfinder Northwest Arkansas’ director of regional development. “There’s a long waiting list.”

Larimer said all eight spots have been filled, and residents will move in once staffing is complete. A staff member will be onsite 24/7 to provide support.

Meredith Taylor, who serves on Pathfinder’s board of directors, said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony that the group home is a place where residents will feel safe, known and supported.

“Pathfinder has always held two simple beliefs,” she said. “The first one is that every person has value. They also believe that every person can progress and grow, and that's what we're here to support today, the growth, the dignity and a real sense of home here.”

Arkansas Sen. Bart Hester also attended the ceremony.

“I’m super grateful for Pathfinder, for the work that they are doing here … serving those that are, in my opinion, some of the best among us and some of the finest people,” he said. “I’m so grateful Pathfinder has chosen to expand here and do the work that they're doing here in Northwest Arkansas.”

Pathfinder Northwest Arkansas is a subsidiary of Pathfinder, Inc., which started in Jacksonville, Ark., in 1971. Pathfinder, Inc. offers programming and housing for developmentally disabled adults at multiple Central Arkansas locations.

Like the rest of Northwest Arkansas, Pathfinder has experienced rapid growth recently, with the number of participants nearly doubling within the last two years. Even with the new group home, Pathfinder still has a waiting list for housing within its program.

Earlier this year, Pathfinder Northwest Arkansas launched a $3 million capital campaign to build a 20-unit apartment complex on the same site as the two group homes in Cave Springs.

If the nonprofit can obtain the funding, the one-bedroom apartments would provide semi-independent living for 20 people in Pathfinder’s program, also with a 24-hour staff to assist residents when needed. 

“To a parent with a developmentally disabled child, it’s a godsend to have something like this,” Larimer said.