Growing up in a musical family, Melissa Carper has spent her life forging a path in music. While continuing her work in the music field, Carper is now turning her energy toward another passion: founding a nonprofit organization, Natural State of Being, dedicated to helping those experiencing homelessness and struggling with mental health issues and addiction.

Carper’s inspiration for this mission is deeply personal, rooted in her firsthand experiences with friends and family affected by these challenges. She has witnessed the frustration of navigating a broken system that lacks adequate resources, housing, and support for those in need. Recognizing the urgency of these issues, Carper has committed herself to creating a solution: providing not just homes but fostering a healing community atmosphere deeply connected to nature.

​In her own life, Carper has found profound healing through reconnecting with Mother Earth. She believes that integrating nature-based practices - such as outdoor activities and organic farming - with a strong sense of community will be essential in helping individuals regain purpose, resilience, and a will to live.

In 2026, Carper is finding time to bring this vision to life. She has connected with friends across Arkansas to assemble a passionate board of directors equally committed to this mission.