LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, alongside the White House Faith Office, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, the Arkansas Department of Commerce, and other partners, today announced the launch of the 10:33 Initiative pilot program.
This program – organized by Governor Sanders’ Faith-Based Initiatives office – was designed to lift Arkansans out of poverty and improve their long-term self-sufficiency by connecting them with faith and community partners who can meet their immediate needs and help guide them toward a prosperous future.
Receiving its name from the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, the 10:33 Initiative aims to harness the power of technology and faith and community partnerships to improve government efficiency, and, most importantly, move Arkansans from crisis to career.
“The 10:33 Initiative isn’t another government welfare program; it’s a groundbreaking project carefully curated to give Arkansans a hand up, not a handout,” said Governor Sanders. “By leveraging the power of technology and connecting Arkansans in need with faith-based and community partners willing to help, this initiative will strengthen families and transform lives. I’m incredibly grateful to my Faith-Based Initiatives office for spearheading the launch of this program, and thankful for our stakeholders and the White House Faith Office for their support. Together, we will build a stronger future for every Arkansan — and help create a model for the nation.”
“This program will transform lives in each of the pilot communities, and we are incredibly excited and honored to support it,” said Arkansas Secretary of Human Services Janet Mann. “It takes all of us working together in communities across this state to help Arkansans emerge from poverty, attain economic independence, and truly improve their lives. That’s what the 10:33 Initiative is all about, and I’m so grateful to Governor Sanders for her leadership and to our faith-based and community partners who understand the need and appreciate the potential we can reach when we come together to support those in crisis.”
“The 10:33 Initiative is a compassionate, forward-thinking approach to serving Arkansans by meeting immediate needs while laying the foundation for long-term economic independence,” said Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. “When individuals are empowered with meaningful career opportunities, it not only transforms their lives—it strengthens entire communities.”
“The 10:33 Initiative represents the best of Arkansas – government, faith, and community partners working side by side to help families move from crisis to stability,” said Director of Restore Hope Paul Chapman. “Through HopeHub and the Restore Hope Model, we are honored to support this pilot by connecting families with caring advocates and resources that address both urgent needs and long-term opportunities. This initiative has the power not only to transform lives here in Arkansas but also to serve as a model for the nation.”
“We’re grateful for the incredible work of our partners Restore Hope, The Contingent, and CarePortal in Arkansas, whose commitment to children and families reflects the heart of our mission at For Others,” said For Others Founder Chris Tomlin. “We commend Governor Sanders for her vision and leadership in launching the 10:33 initiative. Her desire to bring the faith community together around vulnerable kids and families is inspiring, and it’s a powerful example of what can happen when government, churches, and nonprofits link arms. Together, we are showing the nation what it looks like to bring hope and lasting change to families and children in crisis.”
The 12-month pilot program will take place in Pulaski, Union, and Pope counties, serving approximately 300 to 500 Arkansans in total.
Open to businesses, nonprofits, and community or faith partners, the 10:33 Initiative provides a variety of ways to participate. A one-page document outlining these opportunities is available here.
The 10:33 Initiative utilizes Restore Hope’s HopeHub – a collaborative case management and data-sharing platform that is already being used in 19 counties across Arkansas. HopeHub connects individuals needing assistance with a community advocate and mobilizes faith and community partners to meet the urgent needs of the individual while also focusing on solving longer-term challenges such as housing, healthcare, and employment. As independence and stability are achieved, the individual is led to Arkansas LAUNCH, where they can view job opportunities, receive training, and ask for career guidance.
Arkansas LAUNCH is a skills-based platform designed to connect jobseekers with opportunities and help employers find the skilled workers they need – quickly, easily, and for free. Users can search for jobs based on their skills and watch career exploration videos featuring Arkansas employers. Currently, LAUNCH has 16,217 unique users, and 5,807 jobs available from 593 different employers.
Governor Sanders launched Faith-Based Initiatives to unite Arkansas’ diverse faith communities around issues facing the Natural State. Since its inception, the faith-based initiatives team has hosted roundtables and fostered important conversations with faith communities that have led to the development of critical programs to address issues like childhood hunger, maternal health, foster care, and more.
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