CoHO And East Robins: A Story Of A Neighborhood Led with Generosity and Community Driven Renewal6/30/2025  On the East side of Conway, just over the railroad tracks and crossing Harkrider St, the E. Robins neighborhood is experiencing a quiet but profound transformation. Oakwood Trailer Park, seen once as a forgotten corner of our town, E. Robins St. is now the site of renewed momentum, fueled by the strength and generosity of its residents, and supported by the City of Hope Outreach (CoHO). This transformation is guided by the principles of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, which focuses on building from the inside out. Rather than centering on deficits or needs, the ABCD model begins with existing strengths, people, skills, relationships, and shared spaces. For CoHO and its community partners, this philosophy is not just theory, it is a daily lived practice. “Our role is not to 'fix' this neighborhood, it is to walk with the families who live here, to amplify their strengths, and to support the dreams already in motion.” Said Tara Ward, COO of CoHO. Through this lens, CoHO and residents are co-creating resident-led opportunities that blend neighborhood pride with collaborative as well as entrepreneurial action. These efforts include beautification projects, selective demolition and renovation of structures, and the creation of shared community spaces where connection, creativity, and culture can thrive. Kindness and generosity are central to this movement. Kindness shows up not only in words but in everyday actions: conversations, on the porch, weekly walks through the community, shared meals, and educational programs designed to bridge communication and learning gaps. Leadership is often seen in the way neighbors extend understanding and communicate across differences. Exemplifying empathy and clarity, as one of many acts of kindness. Generosity is seen in the ways residents offer time, talent, and resources from leading projects in the community garden to mentoring youth and supporting cultural celebrations that preserve the neighborhood’s deep history. As neighbors show up for one another, E. Robins is already a place of visibility, dignity, and shared ownership. Because it is not about programs alone, the transformation depends on the diverse people showing up. For CoHO, this work is deeply aligned with our mission, with Hope Village, and future initiatives. By investing in residentially led solutions and embracing the ABCD model, CoHO supports communities where individuals and families do not just survive, but truly live! The continued revitalization of E. Robins exemplifies what is possible when local applied knowledge, resident pride, and community generosity can come together. As this neighborhood continues to expand into its vision, it sends a message far beyond Conway, Arkansas that real, lasting change happens when people believe in their community, leading with love, kindness, and generosity, while building a future that's rooted in what's already strong. The foundation of hope is resilience and connection. Tara Ward is the Chief Operations Officer of The City of Hope Outreach (CoHO), a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Conway, Arkansas.
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 Conway, AR – On April 1, 2025, community leaders, advocates, and economic developers gathered at the Arkansas Community Development Society (ACDS) Annual Conference at the University of Central Arkansas to explore strategies for sustainable growth. This year’s theme, Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), emphasized the power of local resources and partnerships in driving meaningful, community-led change. The conference featured in-depth discussions on affordable housing, public-private partnerships (P3s), and economic development, highlighting the ways communities can leverage their existing strengths rather than focusing solely on deficits. Attendees shared best practices, innovative approaches, and strategies for building more resilient and equitable neighborhoods. “Building strong communities starts with recognizing and utilizing the assets already in place,” one attendee noted. “It’s about shifting the focus from what’s missing to what we already have and building upon it.”
For CoHO (City of Hope Outreach), a nonprofit in Conway committed to empowering underserved communities through housing, education, and economic development, this approach is at the core of our mission. By applying the principles of ABCD, we can strengthen our efforts to provide sustainable housing solutions, create economic opportunities, and create thriving neighborhoods where individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency to flourish for future generations. The insights gained at this conference will help us refine our strategies, expand our partnerships, and deepen our impact across Faulkner County. “When we focus on what communities already possess in their people, talents, and local institutions we create real, sustainable change. That’s the foundation of our work at CoHO,” said Tara Ward, COO of CoHO. Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) directly aligns with CoHO Hope Village by emphasizing the strengths and capacities already present within the community to foster sustainable growth. Rather than focusing on deficiencies, CoHO leverages the talents, relationships, and local institutions in Conway to build housing, promote economic opportunity, and empower individuals toward self-sufficiency. This approach mirrors ABCD's philosophy of community-led transformation, making CoHO Hope Village not just a housing initiative but a catalyst for holistic neighborhood renewal. The insights from the ACDS conference reinforce CoHO’s commitment to nurturing resilient, people-centered communities. Networking and collaboration were central to this year’s event, with professionals from across the state coming together to align efforts and share solutions. With a strong emphasis on grassroots leadership, collaboration, and resource-driven development, the ACDS conference reaffirmed that Arkansas’s future is built from within by the people and for the people. Tara Ward is the Chief Operations Officer of The City of Hope Outreach (CoHO), a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Conway, Arkansas. |
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