Who We Serve

A place to belong, create, and be heard

Heartstrings serves children and teens ages 5–20 across Northwest Arkansas who face barriers to creative expression and mentorship, welcomed through trusted referrals.

For children and teens ages 5 to 20
Welcomed through a referral from any trusted adult

A caring adult and a teenager walking side by side along a path toward a warm historic lodge, seen from behind

The children we serve

Who Heartstrings is for

Heartstrings is for children and teens who have been through more than their share. You may belong here if you are, or a young person you care for is:

In foster care, or newly placed
Experiencing homelessness or housing instability
Grieving the loss of a parent or someone they love
Living with a parent who is incarcerated
Aging out of the foster system
Healing from hard things that were not their fault

You can be the safe adult who refers

You do not have to be a caseworker to help a child find us. Referrals come from the trusted adults in a child's life: school counselors, therapists, caseworkers, CASA advocates, child-advocacy centers, foster families, teachers, relatives, and neighbors. If a child comes to mind, you can start the conversation.

Refer a child

Every child arrives carrying something. What they leave with is a voice, and the knowledge that they are okay.

The Heartstrings experience

Could a child you know belong here?

If several of the situations above feel true for a child you know, they may be a good fit. You do not need to be certain, and you do not need to have it all worked out. Reach out, and we will talk it through together.

Start a referral

Serving children and families within about a 30-minute drive across Northwest Arkansas.

Common questions

Who does Heartstrings serve?: Heartstrings serves children and teens ages 5 to 20 across Northwest Arkansas who face barriers to creative expression and mentorship, welcomed through trusted referrals.
How does a child get referred?: You do not have to be a caseworker to refer a child. Referrals come from the trusted adults in a child's life: school counselors, therapists, caseworkers, CASA advocates, child-advocacy centers, foster families, teachers, relatives, and neighbors.
What if I am not sure a child qualifies?: If several of the situations we describe feel true for a child you know, they may be a good fit. You do not need to be certain, and you do not need to have it all worked out. Reach out, and we will talk it through together.

There's a place for you here.

Volunteer your time, give to fund an art class or a music lesson, or refer a child who needs a safe place to learn.

Volunteer Give Refer a child