Local Business Helps Non Profit Recoup Funds

Fort Smith, Ark.: When Josh Niles, owner of Elevate Trampoline Park, heard that $33,000 had been cut from Riverview Hope Campus funding, he decided to help. Elevate Trampoline will be donating a percentage of every ticket sale through the end of the year to the Hope Campus to help fund their mission.   

The Hope Campus, established in 2017, was founded on addressing poverty in the Fort Smith Area. After it filled every bed within four days of opening, the Hope Campus reached its maximum capacity. Because of the extensive needs, funding is a vital part of the campuses long term success.

“The Hope Campus was derived from a series of City meetings and working with several other agencies on how best to address the underserved populations, including the homeless,” said Chris Joannides, executive director of The Hope Campus. “Being told that $33,000 is no longer available after we’ve been open for only thirty days makes you stop and think.”

The Hope Campus aims to improve the community by providing shelter, food, medical services, GED classes, job training, and other necessities to people in need in the area. The Hope Campus is gracious for Elevate’s efforts and hopes that other businesses will show the same support.

“I am humbled and honored that Elevate has chosen us as a recipient of their fundraiser,” Joannides said. “It is through community support that we will continue our success. Funds generated will allow us to continue to serve the underserved populations in the most effective manner through self-sufficiency and successfully transitioning them back into the workforce.”

Elevate, located at 2920 S. Zero in Fort Smith, will hold this fundraiser from March 2018 through the end of the year. For every ticket sold for jumping, paint ball, laser tag, and the ninja course, a portion will go back to Hope Campus. Niles and his family were homeless from age nine to eleven so this particular need is something he can relate to.

“We all have hard times and we all get into that worrying aspect of like for what next week will bring and I think it is our job as a community to watch out for each other. Nobody stood in the gap for me and my family,” Niles said.

“Sometimes the public needs to step up and meet the need.”

For more information on Elevate Trampoline Park, contact Josh Niles at [email protected].

If you or your business would like to partner with the Riverview Hope Campus, please contact Jeremy May at [email protected]