“I’m from the government, and I’m here to help” are words that often make people uneasy, as noted by President Ronald Reagan. As a conservative governor, I keep that in mind when establishing state assistance programs.
However, being a pastor’s daughter taught me the value of compassion through the parables of Jesus. One story that resonates with me is the Good Samaritan, where a person in distress receives much-needed help. This reflects a fundamental obligation we have: to assist those who are less fortunate, regardless of their background.
Guided by this principle, my administration is launching the 10:33 initiative, inspired by the Good Samaritan parable in Luke 10:33. The aim is to leverage our faith, businesses, and nonprofits to help Arkansans move away from government dependency and ultimately break the cycle of poverty.
The motivation for this initiative emerged from issues I observed within the government. Billions are spent on welfare annually, but these funds often serve as short-term solutions without effectively transitioning Arkansans from crisis to career. It’s not enough to provide immediate assistance, like food stamps or unemployment benefits. People need a sustainable path that includes education, employment, and stability.
The 10:33 Initiative acts as a pilot program rooted in innovative concepts. We’re not simply offering handouts; we’re providing hand-ups. Those seeking assistance will connect with local nonprofits and church advocates, which will address various challenges, including housing, healthcare, and job placement.
Beneficiaries will also be directed to launch, a platform established by my administration to match job seekers with educational and career opportunities. The ultimate goal is to empower these Arkansans to stand independently without ongoing government assistance.
I believe this approach works, and it has been validated multiple times by faith-based organizations in Arkansas. For example, we are collaborating with Restore Hope, which already offers support to vulnerable individuals across several counties.
In one case, two fathers reached out to Restore Hope when one was struggling with his wife’s terminal illness and his own substance abuse issues. By seeking help from a nonprofit, he managed to secure long-term care for his family while he focused on recovery. Tragically, his wife passed away, but today, he remains sober and his children are doing well.
In another situation, a mother reaching out for a simple mattress for her daughter ended up connecting with her local church. Later, when her car broke down, she was able to contact someone she’d met through that connection and was gifted a new car the same day.
Jesus reminds us that “Whatever you did for one of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.” The generosity of our faith community is vast, yet historically, it hasn’t aligned with government agencies that allocate significant funds to assist Arkansans each year. The 10:33 initiative aims to bridge that gap.
This pilot program will start in three counties, benefiting hundreds of families. By partnering with the faith community and demonstrating success in shifting Arkansans away from dependency, we plan to expand this initiative statewide, potentially creating a model for others across the nation.
Conservatives recognize the flaws in our welfare system, while Christians understand our duty to help those in need. The 10:33 initiative blends practical solutions with compassion, aiming to offer comprehensive support that can truly transform lives.
