In response to a growing need for housing for developmentally disabled adults in the Northwest Arkansas community, one local nonprofit has launched a $3 million capital campaign to build a 20-unit apartment complex for semi-independent living.

Pathfinder Northwest Arkansas, a nonprofit organization in Bentonville that supports individuals with developmental disabilities, has experienced rapid growth recently within its program. The number of participants has nearly doubled within the last two years, with just over 100 enrolled.

“With the explosive growth that we’ve had here in Northwest Arkansas, lots of people are moving here from other places and bringing dependents or guardians who are developmentally disabled, who need services, and who also need housing in lots of cases,” said Tom Larimer, director of regional development. “The apartments are a way of addressing that.” 

Currently, the organization has one group home in Cave Springs, housing four residents with a waiting list. It will be opening another group home next door in April that will house eight more residents once building renovations are completed.

“The need is there,” Larimer said. “One of the first questions I get from parents and guardians that I talk to is, do we have housing? And the answer is yes and no. Yes, we do, but it’s not available.” 

Larimer said Pathfinder owns land near its group home in Cave Springs that could be a potential location for the new apartments — although it all depends on whether they can obtain the necessary funding.

The one-bedroom apartments would provide semi-independent living for 20 more people, with a 24-hour staff to assist residents when needed. Transportation and planned outings would provide residents with an opportunity to work, shop, go to doctor’s appointments, and even vacation together as a community.

The Program

Pathfinder Northwest Arkansas — located at 2616 S. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville — 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.

Larimer’s 40-year-old son Evan, who has Down syndrome, has been living in Pathfinder’s group home in Jacksonville for 20 years. Larimer said Pathfinder’s housing has been “a godsend,” as his son loves living there, and the other residents have become his family. So much so that Evan didn’t want to move with his parents to Northwest Arkansas six years ago when they decided to relocate.

“He’s been very happy, and I’ve been very happy with Pathfinder, because as a parent … it’s really reassuring to know that somebody, if something happens to me, somebody’s going to be there to take care of him,” Larimer said. “That means a lot to me as a parent.”

The goal at Pathfinder is to foster independent living skills for its participants with instruction in daily life and vocational skills. Some earn a paycheck doing light cleaning jobs at the facility. 

Around 10 to 15 current program participants hold jobs in the community at businesses such as Walmart, Marshalls, Zebra Technologies and local schools, said Kristen Walker, NWA regional director. Pathfinder provides them with job coaches who work alongside them for the first 90 days of employment, and provide followup support when needed.

“We have been very fortunate to have some local businesses cooperate with us and provide them work, and everything I hear back from them is good. … They love working with them,” Larimer said.

Walker said two of the participants have also obtained their driver’s licenses along with getting a job.

“I feel like that’s a huge milestone,” she said.

Walker also said one of their participants is also moving out of her parent’s house to live independently for the first time at age 40.

People can support Pathfinder’s capital campaign by mailing or dropping off a check or cash to the facility at 2616 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville, 72712, or on the Venmo app using @pathfinderinc1971. Within the “What’s this for?” box in Venmo, note that the donation should go to Pathfinder’s Northwest Arkansas location.