From Failures to Futures: The Power of Safe Spaces for Kids in Northwest Arkansas

About the Show:"At Soar, our kindergarteners are learning how to be strong communicators and public speakers."Ellie HoytAbout the Guest:Ellie Hoyt is the Director of Development for Soar Afterschool, a transformative program dedicated to creating nurturing and safe environments for young people in Northwest Arkansas. With over 14 years of experience in nonprofit work, Ellie brings a passion for empowering children and ensuring they have opportunities to learn and grow. Her dedication to fostering resilient, confident young leaders is evident in programs like the "Amazing Shake" and the upcoming unique fundraiser event.Episode Summary:Welcome back to another engaging episode of I am Northwest Arkansas. In this episode, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Ellie Hoyt from Soar Afterschool to discuss their innovative programs and the upcoming fundraiser, "The Fundraiser That Doesn’t Go Quite Right." This unique event aims to build a supportive community for children to explore failure and resilience and encourages the community to back this transformative effort.Ellie Hoyt shares the impactful work Soar Afterschool is doing to empower children in Northwest Arkansas. From teaching kindergartners effective communication and public speaking to organizing the powerful "Amazing Shake" event inspired by the Ron Clark Academy, Soar is committed to developing future leaders. This episode dives deep into the mission and methods of Soar Afterschool, showcasing their dedication to providing safe spaces where children can learn, fail, and ultimately thrive with the support of a caring community.Key Takeaways:Safe Spaces for Failure: Soar Afterschool emphasizes the importance of safe environments where children can fail and learn from their mistakes, ultimately building resilience and confidence.Community Support: The upcoming fundraiser aims not only to raise funds but also to highlight the role of the community in supporting children’s growth and handling failure positively.Innovative Programs: Programs like the "Amazing Shake" help children develop essential communication skills and self-confidence, preparing them for future leadership roles.Involvement and Impact: Listeners are encouraged to support Soar's mission either by attending the fundraiser or donating to expand the program's reach to more children in the Northwest Arkansas area.Personal Connection: Ellie shares how the learning environment at Soar has also provided her with personal growth and insights into overcoming perfectionism and embracing failure.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Ellie HoytWebsite Soar AfterschoolSoar Afterschool on FacebookSoar Afterschool on InstagramSoar Afterschool on LinkedInSupport Soar Afterschool by joining "The Fundraiser That Doesn’t Go Quite Right"! This unique event is designed to foster resilience and creativity in kids by embracing failure as a part of growth. Your participation helps create safe, empowering spaces for young leaders in Northwest Arkansas. Click here to learn more and get involved in this transformative effort!Tune in to KUAF 91.3 FM to listen to the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast on Ozarks at Large every Tuesday at 12 Noon and 7 PM CST. And, check us out on their podcast as well. This episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" Try ONBoardNWA.com Today! *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026