Leading with Purpose and Service in the Community

EngageNWA recently partnered with the Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association (NOARK) on an event that brought together HR professionals and local organizations to explore how purpose and service can strengthen employee engagement—both in and beyond the workplace.

EngageNWA Executive Director Margot Lemaster shared some key insights: only 32% of U.S. employees are engaged at work, and replacing a single team member can cost up to twice their salary (Gallup, SHRM). Meanwhile, employees who find their work meaningful are 69% less likely to quit (McKinsey).

EngageNWA works to build connection, inclusion, and belonging across sectors—because that is essential for healthy, thriving communities. In a rapidly growing region like Northwest Arkansas, belonging isn’t just a value – it’s a strategy for talent retention, competitiveness, and long-term vitality. Our work is rooted in regional collaboration and shared purpose.

One powerful way to build belonging in the workplace is to offer employees meaningful ways to contribute – and to align workplace culture with community values. When employers engage in service and volunteerism, employees connect with purpose, build relationships, and see their organization’s values in action.

Welcoming Week NWA: A Model for Connection

Welcoming Week NWA is a regional model for how cross-sector collaboration can foster social cohesion and civic engagement. With Welcoming Month coming up in September, there’s an open invitation for everyone to participate. What began as a week of events has grown into a month-long, community-led celebration of connection and inclusion.

This year’s focus is on youth civic engagement, especially in light of the new statewide community service requirement for high school graduation under the LEARNS Act. The celebration offers multiple entry points for organizations of any size.

Employers have a role to play—whether by sharing volunteer opportunities with staff, offering scheduling flexibility or paid time for service hours, co-hosting a Welcoming Month event, or simply helping employees connect with purpose-driven work beyond the workplace. 

“Nobody wants to leave part of themselves at home.”
That’s what Staffmark’s Alie Streeter, and NOARK’s inclusion chair reminded the group, explaining why their Prism group—formed by LGBTQIA+ employees and allies—chose to sponsor the June event. Their mission, she said, is less about matching résumés to jobs and more about helping people find a life they can fully step into.

Highlighting Local Partners

Local organizations are already doing the work that helps employees—and their families—feel a sense of belonging. During the Community Resource Roundtable, attendees connected directly with nonprofits offering free or low-cost services, and volunteer opportunities—from housing and healthcare to youth mentorship and digital literacy. 

• Ozark Adaptive Sports Association empowers Arkansans with physical disabilities to build confidence, connect with others and stay active through weekly programs such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, fishing and more. Volunteers are welcome to support the programs.
• Dress for Success Northwest Arkansas helps women prepare for job opportunities with professional clothing, résumé guidance, mock interviews and ongoing career support. While suiting services are women-focused, many career-building resources are available to all.
• Springdale Public Library and Rogers Public Library help bridge the digital divide. Patrons can check out Wi-Fi hotspots, take computer classes in English, Spanish or Marshallese, and access online platforms such as LinkedIn Learning—all with a library card.
• Teen Action and Support Center, also known as TASC, supports teens through life skills education, mental health counseling, academic support and community service opportunities. The organization also works directly with teen parents to help them graduate on time.
• North Street Clinic, a free clinic operated by students at UAMS Northwest, provides care for uninsured residents with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Students from medical, nursing and pharmacy programs work alongside licensed faculty to deliver care and help patients access medications.
• Arkansas United serves immigrant and refugee communities with language classes, legal navigation, cultural outreach and mental health programming. The organization also trains promotores—community health workers—to serve as trusted connectors.
• Pacific Islanders Linguistic Services offers interpretation, translation and cultural education across Pacific languages, including Marshallese, Hawaiian, Tongan and Samoan. The organization aims to bridge language and cultural gaps in schools, healthcare and the workplace.
• GroundworkNWA works to ensure Northwest Arkansas remains a place where people can build a life and a future. That includes expanding housing choices, improving infrastructure, and creating neighborhoods that are connected to jobs, schools, and daily needs. Through local collaboration and smart solutions, they help the region stay vibrant, welcoming, and full of opportunity.
• Staffmark, a staffing and workforce solutions company, emphasized the employer’s role in belonging. Its Prism employee resource group—made up of LGBTQIA+ employees and allies—sponsored the event, highlighting the importance of supporting people both in and outside the workplace.

Together, these organizations remind us that belonging is more than a value—it’s a network of support. It shows up in housing, healthcare, language access, skill-building, and everyday connection.

An Invitation to Join

Northwest Arkansas is growing—and with it, our responsibility to ensure everyone feels connected, supported, and seen. The most welcoming communities are the ones where everyone plays a role. This work takes all of us.Join us for Welcoming Week NWA 2025 or connect directly with any of the organizations listed above.