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Building Civic Engagement & Connection Across Northwest Arkansas

Welcoming Week NWA 2025 helped prepare the next generation to lead and build their futures in Northwest Arkansas. By aligning student leadership with the state’s LEARNS Act 75-hour service requirement, the initiative showcased how youth service can strengthen both community and workforce readiness. This work was carried out with support from the Arkansas Department of Education, which has suggested EngageNWA share it as a potential model for communities across the state.

This year’s impact reflects how cross-sector partnerships, youth leadership, and community service are helping Northwest Arkansas grow as a region where everyone can connect, contribute and belong.

People smiling and crafting together at a table, engaging in a creative group activity indoors.
Three people in wheelchairs conversing in a sports facility with basketball and tennis courts.

Why This Work Matters

Uniting Communities Through Opportunity

Median Age

4-5 Years Younger

NWA remains 4-5 years younger than the national average — a reminder of the region’s youthful energy and future potential.

Who They Are

Gen Z

Gen Z (born 1997–2012) are the region’s youngest workers and future leaders, spanning ages 13 to 28.

Workforce IMpact

30%

By 2030, Gen Z will represent nearly 30% of the U.S. workforce.

Core Values

Purpose

9 in 10 Gen Zs consider a sense of purpose to be important to their job satisfaction & well-being. (Source Deloitte 2025)

Career Motivation

67%

of Gen Zs who report positive mental well-being feel their job allows them to make a meaningful contribution to society. (Source: Deloitte 2025)

2025 IMpact by the numbers

1,100

Students attended volunteer fairs

People in historical costumes dancing outdoors in a circle at a heritage event.

65

Events

72

Partners

15,000+

Partcipants

10

Sponsors

35

Organizations shared volunteer opportunities for teens

Crowd enjoying an outdoor event, capturing moments with phones at a public gathering.Three Girl Scouts smiling at a booth displaying badges and items, outdoors with flowers in the background.

35

Partcipants in virtual teen workshops

Group of people smiling under a market tent with matching JAC Pack shirts at an outdoor event.

109

Social Followers Gained

124 %

Increase in social impressions

359 %

Increase in social engagement

2,200

Views on social videos

Wheelchair basketball players in a sports gym practicing and engaging in a friendly game on the court.
Our Feature in Welcoming America's Annual Report

Community Voices

Hear directly from those who experienced Welcoming Week

"I really liked how engaged everyone is, how open everyone is to helping out the community. Its such a lively atmosphere of excitement and readiness to give back to this place that we all love and care about and that just makes me really happy to see."

Mia Bonifazi

Teen volunteer at Bentonville Public Library

A casual interview scene with two people sitting and one standing, headphones and recording equipment on table.

"This year's Welcoming Week was phenomenal. I feel like it has become more engaging, supportive and educational as the weeks and even the whole month progressed. It helps me to find comfort in knowing that my community are becoming, 'the welcoming'.The outcome will be phenomenal when we all are embraced and feel a belonging."

Michelle Pedro

Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese

"I love helping people and I always have. Its something I want to pursue in the future. I think being a volunteer here is an amazing opportunity for that. Whenever there is a parent asking about a book that they need to find for their kid - when I find it, its super satisfying. I’m always happy to help them. 

Deerga Ramu

Teen volunteer at Bentonville Public Library

"Welcoming Week was a wonderful opportunity to engage with students and connect with the next generation. We truly enjoyed the interactive environment and appreciated the chance to share more about the work we do at Community Clinic. Thank you for the meaningful partnership and for supporting continued collaboration through Welcoming Week."

Jazmin Rivas

Community Clinic NWA

Young people having a lively conversation at a conference table with drinks, supported by Cynthia D'Fran.

"Welcoming Week was a beautiful reminder of the power of community and connection. We were so excited to meet youth who were genuinely interested in volunteering and making a difference in the lives of others. Their energy, compassion, and willingness to serve brought hope and joy to our team. It’s moments like these that affirm our mission and inspire us to keep building bridges of love and service."

Monique Jones

St. James Food Pantry

“It's important for young people to volunteer because it helps find a sense of community for them, it helps them with opportunities. It helps them branch out into the community and learn more about other organizations and build relationships.”

Carolyn Magana

Springdale High School Student

Volunteer to Lead

Virtual workshops series for teens.

"Being a part of welcoming week helped me understand how volunteering for the community can help others feel more welcomed in an area that they are not familiar with. It also helped me gain confidence and strength to keep taking the step to volunteer to make myself and others in the community feel at home. I gained so much knowledge and understanding that volunteership is more than just a boost for your resume. "

Iman Ali

Student at Haas Hall Academy, Rogers Campus

"The most valuable thing that I gained from my participation in Welcoming Week 2025 was satisfaction through helping others. Being able to offer advice to individuals who want to volunteer was invaluable to me and represented a core aspect of my HOSA chapter."

Liam Zimmerman

Student at Haas Hall Academy Rogers Campus; member of HOSA – Future Health Professionals.

"I love the intention behind Welcoming Week and was proud to host this event with our school."

Bethany Culpepper

Haas Hall Academy Rogers Headmaster

"Welcoming Week provided an amazing opportunity to share what we here in HOSA stand for and value. It gave us the opportunity to spread our experiences and what we gained from not only our time in HOSA, but our time in the community. It allowed me to reflect on my experiences and helped me develop a clearer path on how I want to continue supporting my community through HOSA and through my own personal contributions. "

Wyatt Jesperson

Student at Haas Hall Academy Rogers Campus; member of HOSA – Future Health Professionals

Welcoming Week NWA in the Media

Our community's story shared through local and regional media

30 media mentions

14.6M potential audience

$470K publicity value

KnWA

Welcoming Week NWA hosts teen volunteer fair.

Watch Video
Children playing and a woman taking photos at an outdoor event under white canopies on a sunny day.

5 news

Welcoming Week NWA connected students with nonprofits and local leaders to explore opportunities and internships for volunteer work.

Watch Video

40/29

Welcoming Week NWA: Family-friendly fun in Fayetteville.

Watch Video
Smiling woman at a bustling event in a well-lit room, surrounded by people and informational booths.

5 News

Bentonville Library hosts volunteer and community engagement fair.

Read Article

KnWA

Springdale HS holds teen volunteer, community engagement fair.

Watch Video
Three smiling people sitting on a couch at a community event, wearing name tags, with more activities in the background.

Favorite Welcoming Week NWA Moments

Capturing the spirit of connection and celebration.

Fostering a Generation of Service & Purpose

Dear Community Partners,

This past year, Northwest Arkansas took another meaningful step toward building a region where every young person feels a sense of purpose, connection, and belonging.

Through your partnership, service became more than an act of giving: it became a bridge between generations, cultures and communities. Together, we helped young people explore their interests, build new relationships, and gain real-world experience that will shape our region’s future.

Research shows that service offers powerful benefits for youth: it builds communication and leadership skills, strengthens social responsibility, reduces stress, and boosts confidence. Students consistently say that hands-on opportunities - such as volunteering, internships, and community projects - are the most valuable ways to explore future pathways beyond the classroom. Still, too few young people have access to these kinds of experiences.

Supporting youth engagement is not only a community priority; it’s a workforce and economic imperative. Leadership development, service learning, and career exposure help retain young talent and prepare the next generation of leaders to thrive here at home.

Because of you, we are building a culture of belonging that values service, strengthens well-being, and equips young people to lead with empathy and purpose. Every volunteer hour, every act of mentorship, and every moment of connection helps build the foundation for a more vibrant and united Northwest Arkansas.

With deep gratitude,
Margot & Monica