OUR HISTORY
Soaring Wings began as a dream in 1997 when Andrew Watson began working with children in juvenile probation in Conway, Arkansas. During that time, Andrew began to see that the answer to many of the problems that the children faced would be best dealt with if they were they were provided the opportunity of a loving, stable home.
Andrew and his wife, Marla, were later given the opportunity to serve at a Children's Home in Gadsden, Alabama, as relief houseparents. There, they were able to gain the valuable experience and knowledge they needed to start Soaring Wings.
Soaring Wings officially opened its doors on August 1, 2007, when a sibling group of two boys and a girl moved into newly built homes. We are currently able to provide a home for 8 families with up to 24 children in our four homes.
TIMELINE
Soaring Wings Ranch was incorporated as a non-profit organization
MAY 6, 2002
JUNE 2002
Andrew and Marla Watson moved to Conway, Arkansas with $800 to being work on Soaring Wings Ranch.
JANUARY 2003
Rik Sowell of Sowell & Russell Architects committed and designed house plans for the children's homes.
Andrew found approximately 200 acres in Holland, Arkansas, and the Board of Directors began negotiations with the owners of the property. The land was secured with a $30,000 down payment with an 18-month option to purchase for $400,000.
MARCH 2003
Soaring Wings closed on the property. Mt. Vernon/Enola Water Board committed labor to dig and bury all water lines for the entire campus at no cost to the Ranch.
NOVEMBER 2004
God closed the door on the first piece of property the Ranch strongly considered purchasing.
FEBRUARY 2003
APRIL 2003
Tim Tyler surveying committed all surveying and engineering for the future site development of the Ranch. Time Tyler and Rik Sowell worked to develop the conceptual renderings of the Ranch campus.
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The first "In Flight" newsletter was distributed to a small number of donors and people interested in the Ranch.
APRIL 18, 2005
Mobley Contractors committed all culverts needed for the Soaring Wings Ranch campus.
FEBRUARY 23, 2005
Charlie Weaver and Webco Mining, Inc. committed ALL of the gravel needed for the roads. March 1, 2005, Carlton Burnett and Land Ex committed construction of the roads.
MAY 2001
ng this time, Andrew began to see that the answer to many of the problems that the children faced would be best dealt with if they were they were provided the opportunity of a loving, stable home.
MAY 2001
ng this time, Andrew began to see that the answer to many of the problems that the children faced would be best dealt with if they were they were provided the opportunity of a loving, stable home.
MAY 2001
ng this time, Andrew began to see that the answer to many of the problems that the children faced would be best dealt with if they were they were provided the opportunity of a loving, stable home.
TIMELINE
MAY 6, 2002
Soaring Wings was incorporated as a non-profit organization.
JUNE 2002
Andrew and Marla Watson moved to Conway, Arkansas with $800 to begin work on Soaring Wings.
JANUARY 2003
Rik Sowell of Sowell & Russell Architects committed and designed house plans for the children's homes.
FEBRUARY 2003
God closed the door on the first piece of property Soaring Wings had strongly considered purchasing.
MARCH 2003
Andrew found approximately 200 acres in Holland, Arkansas, and the Board of Directors began negotiations with the owners of the property. The land was secured with a $30,000 down payment with an 18-month option to purchase for $400,000.
APRIL 2003
Tim Tyler Surveying committed all surveying and engineering for the future site development of Soaring Wings. Tim Tyler and Rik Sowell worked to develop the conceptual renderings of the campus.
​
The first "In Flight" newsletter was distributed to a small number of donors and people interested in Soaring Wings.
JUNE 2003
Jim Hawks, owner of Tri-Con Builders, and subcontractors committed the labor for the first girls' home.
JULY 11, 2003
The Soaring Wings office moved from the Watsons' home to the Tim Tyler Surveying building in Conway, Arkansas.
AUGUST 2003
Billboards were donated by various billboard owners to help get the word out about Soaring Wings. Soaring Wings had billboards in prime locations throughout the state.
APRIL 2004
Ridout Lumber Company of Searcy committed all the materials for the first girls' home.
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Delk Construction Company of Bald Knob committed the Food and Clothing Center.
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The Second Annual Soaring Wings Auction was held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. Approximately 350 people attended, and $20,000 was raised.
OCTOBER 2004
Oct. 6 - $217,000 remaining on the land with 24 days to go
Oct. 20 - $187,000 remaining
Oct. 25 - $150,000 remaining
Oct. 28 - $68,000 remaining
Oct. 29 - $38,000 remaining
Oct. 30 - $15,760 remaining. By 10:00 AM the total amount needed to purchase the land was committed!
NOVEMBER 2004
Soaring Wings closed on the property. Mt. Vernon/Enola Water Board committed labor to dig and bury all water lines for the entire campus at no cost.
FEBRUARY 23, 2005
Charlie Weaver and Webco Mining, Inc. committed ALL of the gravel needed for the roads. March 1, 2005, Carlton Burnett and Landex Corporation committed construction of the roads.
APRIL 18, 2005
Mobley Contractors committed all culverts needed for the Soaring Wings campus.
MAY 31, 2005
Entergy gave a $10,000 Development Grant
to Soaring Wings.
JUNE 17, 2005
1st Annual Golf Marathon raised over $40,000.
AUGUST 8, 2005
Beverly Strain-Eads and Family committed $350,000 to Soaring Wings to build the Strain Home for boys, in memory of Del Strain.
OCTOBER 14, 2005
Vilonia Waterworks installed the water infrastructure
for the Soaring Wings campus.
NOVEMBER 28, 2005
Construction began on the Ridout and Strain Homes.
APRIL 28, 2007
Soaring Wings celebrated its Grand Opening with the First Annual Appreciation Day. Over 250 people were in attendance.
AUGUST 1, 2007
Soaring Wings welcomed its first children; a sibling group of three.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
Crain Automotive Team in Conway donated our first
15-passenger van for transportation of our children.
APRIL 25, 2008
Due to the generosity of Beverly Strain-Eads and family, Soaring Wings built a hospitality house to be used for donors and out-of-town guests, as well as a meeting place for staff and residents.
OCTOBER 25, 2008
Dustin and Rachel Speer headed up the First Annual SW Half Marathon. A team of sponsors, volunteers, and participants in the race helped raise over $20,000.
AUGUST 13, 2009
Chris Tomlin, Dove-award winning Christian contemporary music artist, worship leader, and songwriter, performed a benefit concert, raising over $50,000.
NOVEMBER 10, 2012
The Love Home for Boys opened. Many individuals and churches came together to build The Love Home.
JANUARY 8, 2018
Soaring Wings began serving children and families through private placement.
NOVEMBER 10, 2012
The Whittany Rae Atkinson Home was opened. The Home was built in memory of Whittany who passed away at age 16. Whittany loved children in foster care and often asked her parents to adopt. The Whittany Rae Atkinson Home carries on the memory of Whittany and her love for children and gives them the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Christ.
JUNE 23, 2017
The Strain Home for Infants and Toddlers was remodeled and furnished to serve the ever-growing need to keep siblings together.
DECEMBER 10, 2024
Soaring Wings expanded its reach to serve children and families who live off campus through providing professional counseling from a Christian worldview.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
Construction began on the Welcome Learning Counseling Center.
MAY 30, 2025
Soaring Wings continued the next step of its mission to serve children and their single mothers on campus. By serving the whole family, Soaring Wings can help establish a stable, Christ-centered future for the whole family.
AND SINCE . . .
God has continued to bless and provide as Soaring Wings has grown to serve the needs of more children and families. In order to continue along the path God has set before us, ongoing support is needed. Please consider becoming one of our faithful friends each month through financial and prayer support. Click here to learn how to be involved.