Founder

Building a new volunteer center in less than a year may seem like a daunting task, but Coletta Patterson, a Springdale native, is up for the challenge. With her extensive career in nonprofits, program management, strategy, and her own volunteer experience, she continues her efforts to open the first-ever Northwest Arkansas Regional Volunteer Center by 2027. Thanks to a generous grant from Walmart, she is creating something that has never been done in Northwest Arkansas.

Her “Why”

Building a strong community is something Coletta has always been passionate about. When she first started thinking about her career, she was planning to head straight into the workforce at Walmart or Tyson. Excited to dive into the corporate world, she realized her future was surrounded by the work she was already doing. “At that time, my now-husband and I were serving at our church, and I was working with the university pre-college program to help first-generation and low-income students navigate school,” says Patterson.

Working at her church and with the students made Coletta realize her love for the community that surrounded her. She wanted to continue in the world of giving, with no expectation of receiving something in return. The door to the corporate world was still open for Coletta, but she chose to step through an open window and dedicate her time and professional life to building up her community. Coletta shares, “I decided to dig my heels into the nonprofit world.”

Years later, Coletta is digging those same heels into the volunteer center, and being a part of building something from the ground up excites her. At the time of this new role discovery, she was ready for a change but wanted to keep her feet firmly planted in the two spaces that matter to her: service and people. Coletta saw the opportunity with the volunteer center as a way to bridge her love for nonprofits while still building up the community she loves. She realized getting involved with multiple organizations and helping each of them with their own needs, not just one, was the key to progress. “I loved the idea of being a part of something transformative that will help our community move forward,” shares Patterson. 

Planning, Planning, and More Planning

Coletta is the one leading the charge to make sure every nonprofit and volunteer benefits from her planning efforts. Leading up to the initial launch in 2027, Coletta has been meeting with as many organizations and stakeholders as possible. “It’s my goal to go around and meet with nonprofits to build that connection,” says Patterson.

Through these meetings, Coletta learns about each need the nonprofits have and their mission, allowing her to better understand the volunteer center’s role and create a larger impact. The important question she is asking about is gaps: What spaces need to be filled for the organizations, and how can the volunteer center fill the holes? “I want to make sure the Center can help curate volunteer opportunities and get everyone excited,” shares Patterson.

Other key meetings taking place are with corporate partners. These companies have a workforce with specialized skills that can contribute in meaningful ways. An example might be pairing a local accountant with an organization that needs help with financial planning or bookkeeping. The volunteer service provided means that more resources go back to the mission. Volunteering also offers a way for corporate teams to engage in team-building opportunities for a group. “It’s been great to connect the dots between corporate partners and nonprofit partners,” shares Patterson.

Moving the Needle Forward

Right now, Coletta is a team of one, with the help of some Jones Center staff. The team will grow as the process continues and the work ramps up. Her experience in a previous role at Teen Action Support Center (TASC) prepared her for starting small, building something and the challenges that arise along the way.

During her time at TASC, Coletta faced monstrous hills she had to climb. Her goal as executive director was to help build connections for teens through in-person programs. But this was in the post-COVID era. Contact with people was limited, however Coletta didn’t let the challenge stop her from fulfilling the mission of TASC. “We did have to pivot during this time to move forward, doing virtual programs, but getting the organization through that transition was exciting,” states Patterson.

Even with the challenge of COVID constraints, she was able to help the organization grow. The budget grew significantly during her time at TASC. La Tricia Hill-Chandler shares the impact Coletta had on the organization: “Joining during the challenges of COVID-19, she provided stability, thoughtful leadership, and a clear vision for the future. Her leadership was instrumental in opening a new center and developing new programs that expanded the organization's impact and positioned it for continued success.”

Now, Coletta brings those same characteristics to the new NWA Regional Volunteer Center. Intending to fill gaps in places where nonprofits need help, she is working to link volunteers and nonprofits. In the planning process, she has discovered where nonprofits are stretched thin on their resources, and a crucial part is the need for people. “I think we’ll start to see our community as a whole be more resilient and more unified and connected,” shares Coletta. 

The new Northwest Arkansas Regional Volunteer Center is set to open in 2027, thanks to the help of Walmart and its grant, allowing Coletta to move forward with making the region a place where communities, nonprofits, and corporations thrive.

“I think it’ll be a place where people will love to live, work, and now serve,” shares Coletta.