Nicole and Patrick Hart are pictured with their daughters and baby on the way on the banks of a lake at Camp Robinson. Many thanks go to Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Joel Lynch and National Guard Museum Director Dr. Raymond Screws for all of their help in making the photoshoot possible.

In 2010, Nicole Hart and her baby daughter Paige were traveling in their vehicle on Broadway in North Little Rock when they witnessed a hit and run. “The body was flung to the side of the road. The driver pulled over but then took off. I saw oncoming traffic, so I tried to move my car around to shine my lights on the body, so people could see it,” says Nicole. Before she could get turned around another vehicle had hit the victim. At that moment she recalls, “It reminded me of every person I couldn’t save. It all came back. Flashbacks. Nightmares.”

Nicole Hart was an NCO (non-commissioned officer) in the 39th Infantry Brigade of the Headquarters Support Battalion (Arkansas Army National Guard) in Taji, Iraq. “My company was in the mortar attack by the bunker. Many people were killed including our commander. My biggest challenges now are survivor’s guilt, depression and anxiety,” Nicole explains. She continues her treatment for PTSD which includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Being a fighter on and off the field of battle, Nicole has beaten the odds, spent her life searching for a better way of doing things, and not settling for the status quo. She was born and raised in the Sobrantee Park community of Oakland, California where she says “many bad things went on.” Both of her parents struggled with drugs and alcohol, but her dad later “got it together.” She was the oldest daughter and was raised by her father. “From a spiritual perspective everything is purposeful. I should’ve turned out one way, but I went another,” Nicole affirms.

“When I was 12 years old, a mentor family started a community garden in Sobrantee Park. That’s when I was first introduced to recognizing how I could change my environment. That was my first job and I helped my dad pay bills. Sometimes you don’t understand the value of things if you’ve always had them. I’m always appreciative of small things because with me they’re big things,” explains Nicole.

From there Nicole became very involved in school organizations and church. She went on to attend Southwestern Christian College in Texas where she was Student Government President and played basketball. She later transferred to Harding University in Searcy. During her junior year her father died suddenly. Being very close to her father she says, “I remember looking up at the sky trying to say bye. Everything was just scattered. After I got home to California, I crawled up on the table and laid there with him for two hours. It was just really, really, hard.”

After her father’s passing Nicole was faced with trying to care for her two younger twin sisters. She tried to get custody, but since she was a student with no way to support them she could not. When she went back to Harding, some friends told her about the National Guard. She joined the Guard and was able to take care of her sisters. “It was very hard because I was young, going to school, working and dealing with two teenage girls,” she says. During this time she met her future husband Patrick at church. They now have a daughter Paige, 5, a stepdaughter Arionna, 13, and are expecting a third child in early spring 2016.

Then things got a little more complicated. Nicole’s first day of basic training was September 11, 2001. “I remember holding an M16 before I really even knew what it was. Most of us didn’t even see the video of what happened on 9/11 until January,” she shares. “In 2003, the 39th got called up. I had 10 days to figure out what to do about school, our apartment and my sisters. I ended up finding mom and having her come live here until I got back,” Nicole explains.

In military life, much like in civilian life, Nicole was quickly identified as a natural leader and as someone who strives to make the best of a situation. When she returned from Iraq, she went on to work with the Department of Community Programs in Little Rock. She then worked for Governor Mike Beebe on his transition team and later served as his Military & Veterans Affairs, Homeland Secretary.

“We were trying to fight for a difference in how we cared for veterans in our state and improve the programs available to them and their families,” Nicole states. “Governor Beebe started the Yellow Ribbon Task Force. We looked at other states to find best practices, rule challenges, and things that affect the veteran population. It was decided that the non-profit route was the way to go and I was chosen to head up the effort,” she says of the beginning of ARVets.

“ARVets was constructed on workable and effective programs. It’s a one stop shop. One of the most rewarding parts is when someone has the courage to step forward and you’re that person who’s there for them. I feel like openly sharing my story has made people take a second look. There are hard days and good days. That’s why we do what we do,” Nicole states.

Nicole credits her husband Patrick, her relationship with God and all of the people who have supported her over the years with her continued success. Wanting to pay that care and commitment forward to others she says, “There was always someone there in my life to help me make the next move. I find solace in that.”

Nicole Hart, née Thompson, on duty with the Arkansas Army National Guard.

Nicole Hart’s List for Help and Healing

  1. Pray, meditate, relax.
  2. You have to find time for yourself.
  3. The effects of stress can be heightened by other significant challenges and can affect your ability to parent.
  4. Enjoy little moments and just watching your children. It’s a place of pure peace and keeps me level headed.
  5. There’s peace in building relationships with other people who’ve had the same experiences.
  6. There will always be challenges, but it will be okay. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel.

What Is ARVets?

ARVets is a non-profit organization working to ensure that the needs of veterans and their families are met. Its mission is to enhance the overall quality of life for military personnel, veterans and their families by improving access to resources and strengthening support systems through all phases of the military life cycle. ARVets proactively offers innovative ideas and methods to deliver services while focusing on a grassroots case-management approach.

ARVets Programs & Services

Behavioral & Physical Health

Veterans and their family members are provided with group therapy sessions, mental health first aid trainings, individual psychosocial assessments, and behavioral health support through case management services in order to promote health and wellness.

Case Management Approach

ARVets’ case management system works to improve the overall quality of life of veterans and their families by addressing needs holistically. Case managers provide one-on-one assistance in navigating the various components of employability, housing, health and family support services. Services are provided through both in-house programs or through direct referrals to organizations that can assist them with meeting their needs.

Homelessness

This program provides homelessness prevention assistance to veteran households that would otherwise become homeless, and provides rapid re-housing assistance to veteran households who are currently homeless. ARVets works to assist with areas that may provide barriers to remaining permanently housed.

Job Training & Career Development

ARVets offers a job readiness program that improves the ability of veterans to successfully acquire and sustain gainful employment. This program provides the veteran with training on how to meet employer workplace expectations and to communicate the value of their military experience.

Programs Under Development

ARVets is currently working to develop programs in Behavioral & Physical Health and Community & Family. These are two areas of specific need based on research done by the Arkansas Yellow Ribbon Task Force.


2015 SALUTE GALA

Celebrating ARVets’ 4 years of service and support for Arkansas heroes!

Honorary Chairs Lt. Governor Tim Griffin and Mrs. Elizabeth Griffin
Wednesday, November 11
6:00 VIP Reception, 6:30 Dinner & Program
Clinton Presidential Library
Proceeds benefit Arkansas veterans and their families.
Go to ARVets.org for SALUTE Gala tickets, to access services or for more information on programs and resources.