DEB Project Deserving Enriched & Blessed

Our Mission

The DEB Project strives to be a complete support network for the foster care community as well as school social workers.  In a child’s time of need, we hope to be a network of giving through love.  Each day we provide essentials like clothing, shoes, food and hygiene products.

What We Do

The DEB Project ~ Deserving Enriched & Blessed

We lift the tangible burden of caring for foster children so that foster families can focus on the emotional and physical needs of the child.  With the continued love and support of the community through donations, the DEB Project gives many of the items needed to meet basic everyday needs.

Our Programs

• Unleashed Therapy Dog offers therapy dogs to schools or foster families in our community.  The DEB Project awards a therapy dog every year to a school or a foster family.  Since 2017 we have awarded 6 therapy dogs to our community schools and 1 to a foster home.
• Our internship/scholarship program is for our local students going to college or a trade school. We have had over 40 interns with $68,000 in scholarship donated since 2017.
• Our volunteer program is powered by our amazing community of volunteers. They have given us 6 years with over 120,000 volunteer hours
• Christmas Tree Project started in 2019 when covid was so hard on families.  We provide Christmas gifts for families that are not receiving assistance from other agencies.  Since 2019 we have helped 105 children and given 630 gifts.

Throughout the last 10 years we have assisted 4,730 children in our community.  Given over 63,000 items including clothing, shoes, baby gear, hygiene and food.   Sponsored over 40 teens with scholarship money equaling over $68,000 and awarded 7 therapy dogs all into our NWA community.  All while manning on 100% volunteerism in the store.  No salaries or paychecks are given at the DEB Project; we pride ourselves on being a 100% volunteer based program!

The Founders Story

I founded the DEB Project in 2012 following the death of my childhood friend Deborah.  Deborah was adopted when we were in the 3rd grade, and it was an instant bond that lasted through her suicide.  Our bond grew stronger with every sleepover, double date, and conjoined birthday party (our birthdays were only a few days apart!).

She was smart, sassy, brave, stubborn, beautiful and loved by all.  She stood up for those being bullied with a smile on her face.  I’ll always be thankful for the memories I have with her, and I’ll forever be grateful for our friendship.  It’s an honor and a privilege to serve the foster care community in her memory.