Youth Shelter

Trauma has wreaked havoc on the lives of youth from crisis in our state. Youth in central Arkansas who don’t have a safe place to sleep at night are at even higher risks of victimization, chronic homelessness, and additional trauma. To protect these vulnerable youth, Immerse purchased property less than a quarter mile from the OC youth center in 2020.

On this property, we plan to build Arkansas’s first emergency shelter dedicated to supporting youth ages 18-24.

When describing his experience with homelessness and adult shelters, one youth shared:

“When I go to the other shelters, I see grown men and that’s one of my fears. I don’t want to get stuck where I’m at. I really don’t. And I don’t want to put myself around a lot of people to teach me what they’ve been doing their whole life. So, now I sleep outside because…I don’t want to be that person and I don’t want to learn the ways that they’re gonna teach me.”

—Immerse Overcomer

In 2021, Immerse served over 100 youth in need of immediate shelter.

Our planned 16-bed shelter will not only provide youth with a safe place to stay but will also offer access to Immerse’s continuum of programming, including the OC Youth Center. At full capacity, we anticipate providing shelter to 100 youth

within the first year.

In order to create a safe and youth-friendly environment, each youth will have their own bedroom, bathroom, and shower, as well as access to indoor and outdoor common areas for rest and relaxation.

Thanks to the generosity of many supporters, Immerse raised over half of the funds needed for construction of this shelter in 2021. We’re continuing our efforts to make this resource a reality! Thank you for your prayers and partnership in making vital supports like these available to youth here in Arkansas. Our goal is to raise the remaining funds in 2022 with construction to begin in late 2022.

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