New Batesville facility opens as county judges call for foster care support

Faced with a stark imbalance between the number of children in foster care and available local homes, leaders in north-central Arkansas are calling on the community to provide spiritual and tangible support for vulnerable families.

Sharp County Judge Mark Counts and Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery have officially proclaimed May as a “Month of Prayer for Foster Care Awareness.” The joint proclamation, organized in partnership with the nonprofit The CALL, invites congregations and residents to unite in prayer for children, foster parents, and the caseworkers navigating the child welfare system.

The initiative comes at a critical time for the region. Data from The CALL shows that approximately 80 children in Sharp and Independence counties are in foster care at any given time, yet only 11 licensed foster families are currently available to house them locally. This gap often forces children to move away from their schools, teams, and support networks.

To address this crisis, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce recently joined The CALL to celebrate the opening of the organization’s first dedicated office space in Batesville. Located at 411 S. Central Ave., the new facility is designed to be more than just an office — it serves as a bridge for family reunification and community resource distribution.

“Our mission is to bring hope and healing,” said Ashley Beller, director of The CALL in Sharp and Independence counties. “We recruit and train foster families, but we also walk alongside them with ongoing support. It’s all about creating stability and connection.”

The new building features a “CALL Mall,” a 24-hour resource center providing clothing and supplies for children entering care, as well as a playroom. The space also includes a warm, home-like environment where biological families can visit their children.

“Now, families can spend meaningful time together in a space that feels like home,” Beller said. “They can cook meals, play games, watch movies, and simply be together. That kind of environment makes a real difference.”

The chamber’s ribbon-cutting event drew a large contingent of local business leaders and community advocates, signaling broad support for the organization’s mission. These “ambassadors” represent various local institutions working to ensure that every child in the region has access to a safe, local home.

Ambassadors from the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce at last month’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for The CALL’s new office space on South Central Avenue. (Image provided by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce)

Ambassadors in attendance at the opening included Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Abigail Ballard (Lifeplus), Alexandra McClain (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Ashlyn Blevins (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Brandi Curbo (Batesville Guard), Brandon Lackey (Southern Bank), Candy Mitliff (Bennett Heating, Cooling, & Electrical), Cassidy Mitchell (Lyon College), John High (Qualls Batesville Funeral Service), Katelyn Holt (Family Chiropractic Care), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Campbell (Batesville Schools), Michael Dickinson (City of Batesville), Sarah Perkins (Mossy Oak Properties), Taylor Williams (First Community Bank), Kirsten Martin (Arkansas Sherriff’s Youth Ranch), Lori Campbell (Batesville School District), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Micah Richardson (Citizens Bank), Michael Dickinson (City of Batesville), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Nathan Dowen (Citizens Bank), Robert Stephens (Network of Community Options), Sarah York (Southern Bank), Silje Antonsen (First Community Bank), Sydney Wood (Main Street Batesville), and Taylor Williams (First Community Bank).