Searcy (LP) In Searcy, there is a little white house located at 914 E Race St. Behind these walls amazing things are happening. In June of 1998 the doors of Friends For Life opened with the goal of providing resources and support to girls and women dealing with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. They are a nonprofit Christian organization with a mission to evangelize, educate, and encourage women in making life affirming choices. They provide free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, and material assistance, as well as counseling and support. In 2013 they opened a parenting center as a result of partnership with DHS and CASA. They not only seek to protect the sanctity of life for the unborn, but to also help encourage and build strong families. Every year they see around 1,000 clients.
A nonprofit organization like this requires many volunteers as well as funding. Starting in 1999, Friends For Life has held the annual Walk 4 Life. This event was held at Berryhill Park in Searcy on April 22. Registration started at 8:30 am and at 9:00 am the group started the walk around the park. Those that wished to participate picked up sponsor forms. They asked friends and family to sponsor them for the two mile walk. Sponsors donated money for each mile. The forms were collected and participants who raised over $200 receive a free t-shirt. They are able to raise $10,000 through this event. Participants were made up of every age and walk of life. There have been several Searcy students participate over the years including Timetra Hawkins. Hawkins loves this ministry and feels that walking “is a way to further this ministry and help those in difficult situations.” Kim Richards is the executive director of Friends For Life and has “a deep burden and love for this ministry.” She is thankful to all who volunteer or donate and says, “Friends For Life could not minister to our clients without the commitment of our volunteers.”
Friends For Life is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Their doors are open to anyone needing help. There are many ways to help from volunteering at the center, donating money and material needs, walking, sponsoring a walker, to attending the annual fundraising banquet.
