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For many men and women who serve in the U.S. Military, the return home can be one of the most challenging aspects of their journey. Transitioning from military to civilian life can bring unexpected challenges, such as finding housing, adjusting to new routines, managing physical or emotional wounds, or simply rediscovering a sense of purpose and belonging. That’s why it’s so important for communities to step up and provide spaces where veterans can heal, grow and thrive. At Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, the Beck Center for Veterans does just that. They offer support, housing and resources designed to help veterans succeed when they return from serving our country.
The Beck Center for Veterans (originally known as the Beck PRIDE Center) opened on the A-State campus in 2007 thanks to a $1 million gift from alumni Buddy and Charlotte Beck. The center, which became part of A-State’s Office of Military and Veteran Student Success in 2020, quickly became a hub for veterans seeking education, rehabilitation and other means of support. Since then, it has served thousands of veterans and families across northeast Arkansas.
Inside the Beck Center, veterans receive academic advising, job training, mental health counseling, physical therapy and more. Support groups cover PTSD, anger management, relationship issues and transitioning to civilian life. Families are welcome to participate in many of the programs and, most importantly, services are free for veterans and their families.
Veterans Village in Jonesboro originated from a 2019 partnership between the city of Jonesboro and Arkansas State University (A-State) to address veteran homelessness. The city secured funding, and A-State offered staffing and programming support. Construction started in 2021, and the first residents moved in later that year.
The Beck Center and Veterans Village are separate in function — one serves as a campus resource center, while the other is a neighborhood — but they work together as a team. The Veterans Village, located near Aggie Road and Allis Street, offers nine fully furnished small homes just a few blocks from campus. Residents are provided with 90 days of rent-free living while working with case managers to secure employment and permanent housing. It’s a fresh start for Veterans who’ve faced homelessness or instability.
The project has been successful thanks to a web of community support. A-State students from social work, counseling and health programs work directly with veterans through internships and volunteer service. Local groups like Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1991 continue to provide supplies and support. Volunteers from around Jonesboro host cookouts, provide transportation and lend a hand when needed.
What makes the Beck Center unique is its location. It’s the only program of its kind housed on a university campus. It’s a great way to connect veterans with education and jobs in order to help move them forward. Many veterans have already transitioned from the Village into full-time jobs and permanent housing. Others are enrolled at A-State, earning degrees under the guidance of the Beck Center. The goal isn’t just to provide shelter. It’s to offer a place to rebuild and grow.
Other Veteran Support Programs in Arkansas
In addition to the Beck Center and Veterans Village in Jonesboro, Arkansas is home to several other programs that support veterans with housing, rehabilitation and life skills:
- Francis House Veterans Re-Entry Program – Little Rock
Offers transitional housing, counseling, meals and life skills training for homeless veterans. Helps veterans secure employment and permanent housing. - The Buddy Smith Veterans Home (Next Step Homeless Services) – Fort Smith
A 16-bed facility providing safe housing, case management and Veterans Affairs-supported services to help male veterans regain independence. - Arkansas Veterans Village – Bentonville
Provides temporary shelter for homeless veterans and is developing a tiny-home community. Focused on bridging the gap to permanent housing. - Arkansas State Veterans Homes – North Little Rock & Fayetteville
State-run long-term care facilities offering skilled nursing and daily living assistance for elderly or disabled veterans. - Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) – Statewide
A federal program operated through local nonprofits to prevent homelessness, provide rent or utility help, and support stable housing for low-income veteran families.
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