121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith AR
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
WE'RE RUNNING ON THE RIVER
Join us for the 6th Annual
"Run for the Girls"
Greg Smith River Trail
June 6, 2026
Race Time: 8:00 AM
We are looking forward to a new race experience - join in the fun!
Chip-Timed & USATF Certified 5K Course. All age groups welcome.
T-shirts for entrants registered before May 24, 2026.
"Run for the Girls" is a fundraiser for the
Girls Shelter of Fort Smith, Inc
Where sheltering is just the beginning!
ABOUT US
The Girls Shelter of Fort Smith - A United Way Community Partner - opened in 1970 as a temporary emergency shelter. Since then, the Shelter has developed and grown onto a long-term residential treatment facility. In April 2002, a new 7,000 square-foot facility was built on a two-acre lot at South 26th and Quincy. The shelter is licensed for eight girls, ages 12 – 17 years old. During the Summer, our girls volunteer for one of our sponsors or a United Way agency.
- Taught social skills: The girls learn important social and independent living skills.
- Self-worth: They are given a sense of self-worth and taught to be responsible for their actions and decisions.
- Job skills: They are taught job skills and money management by working summer jobs.
- Education: Attendance and participation in school is a requirement.
- Personalized plans: Each girl is given individual treatment plans including structured goals and objectives.
- Counseling: Counseling is provided to support their needs.
- Family reunification: The long-term goal is to reunite the resident with her family.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide a safe and encouraging atmosphere in a residential setting for at risk females aged 12 – 17 years; to promote positive behaviors, character enhancement, educational advancement, and to reunite with family.
Many of our residents have had a less than desirable childhood. Common histories include physical and sexual abuse,
parents with drug issues, parents in prison and homelessness.
We teach personal responsibility, independent living skills and positive social skills. We provide case management,
individual and family counseling.
We provide a safe home environment, all food, transportation, personal items, and clothing. They receive individual and family counseling.
As one Board member put it, “we have one year to pour all the good into them we can possibly give them.”
For more information, please visit the race page: Run for the Girls.
