Welcoming New Neighbors Since 2016
Canopy NWA in the beginning
In 2015, dozens of Northwest Arkansas residents from across the community came together to respond to the ongoing global refugee crisis. These community members wanted to do something to help, but quickly found that there were very few ways to support refugees through resettlement assistance in the state of Arkansas because there wasn't an active resettlement agency in Northwest Arkansas.
The first meeting was held in January 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. There were over 50 folks at that first meeting and most of the individuals there had never encountered one other before.
This group came from Fayetteville, Bentonville, Siloam Springs and everywhere in between. It consisted of folks across various religious, national, ethnic, and political backgrounds, but despite these differences they instantly connected over a shared heart and concern for refugees. The group united on the desire to provide refugees with a good, safe home here in Northwest Arkansas - and the understanding that NWA would be a stronger, more diverse community thanks to these new neighbors.
All across Northwest Arkansas, the grassroots interest in welcoming refugees continued to grow and spurred community action.
That’s how Canopy came to fruition. In February of 2016, this group began organizing to meet the criteria to become a refugee resettlement agency. Canopy partnered with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) as an affiliate. In October of 2016, Canopy was officially designated as a refugee resettlement site.
In December 2016, Canopy welcomed the first refugee families to Northwest Arkansas!
Our Core Values
At Canopy NWA, we believe in:
The Dignity and Worth of All People
Wholeness of Body, Mind and Spirit
Cultural and Religious Diversity
Collaboration with Community
Empowerment
Excellence
Welcome
