Letter from the Founder & Executive Director
At Immerse, we are deeply committed to helping youth from crisis experience healing, growth, and transformation. This year, we served nearly 400 young people, each of whom have experienced significant levels of abuse, neglect, or other forms of trauma way too early in life.
Your partnership provided an array of supports for these amazing young people including housing, meals, clothing, education and employment, mentoring, therapy, transformational experiences, and so much more. All of these supports are undergirded by our coaches who logged over 7,000 hours of 1:1 “in the trenches” work with youth like Jasmine and Chary’Elle who you’ll read about in the following pages.
We’re grateful and honored to walk with each young person who shows up, and we’re on a mission to serve more. Our goal is to build a broad and reliable pathway to healing available to every youth from crisis in Arkansas.
Building the pathway this year included launching our second site in Conway, where we’ve already developed a waitlist for teens and families wanting to participate in LifeBASE Teen. In addition, we broke ground on The Station, Arkansas’ first shelter dedicated to young adults. And on top of that, we were thrilled to expand our therapy program as we integrate therapy into each of our programs.
These milestones would not be possible without a passionate community of volunteers, donors, and prayer warriors. Together, we’re getting to display God’s heart for young people often cast aside by much of society.
It’s been an incredible year. While there is still plenty of work to do, I want to say thank you for your commitment to caring for youth from crisis in Arkansas. Let’s keep going, and may many more youth from crisis experience healing, growth, and transformation in the years to come.
Eric Gilmore, Executive Director
Immerse Arkansas Declared Nonprofit of the Year
Together, we are building an expansive pathway to healing that is available to every youth from crisis in Arkansas.
Immerse Arkansas was recognized as the 2023 Nonprofit Organization of the Year, as announced at the 35th Annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards. We count it a true privilege to be recognized among businesses and other organizations throughout Arkansas that are working to make a difference in the lives of others in our state.
This award is a considerable honor and represents the incredible work of the youth and families we serve with, as well as our team, board, and YOU – the volunteers, mentors, and generous donors who make the critical work of Immerse possible.
Over the past 13 years, we’ve come alongside more than 1,400 youth from crisis – including those aging out of foster care, navigating foster care and adoption, and experiencing homelessness, human trafficking and other traumas. Let’s continue to press on together to build an expansive pathway to healing available to every youth from crisis in Arkansas.
Meals Provided
We believe that when we surround youth from crisis with unconditional relationships, a vision for their restored future, and tools that anticipate their needs and dreams, we create a climate for healing, growth, and transformation.
400 HOURS
Youth & their Children’s Lives impacted
37 Foster & Adoptive Parents of Teens Impacted = 1 youth
1,058
Life Skills Classes Taught
160
7,085
380 HOURS of Coaching Provided
of Onsite Trauma Therapy Provided
2,040 Youth Impacted through Transformational Experiences
One Life-changing Choice
Meet Chary’Elle, an Overcomer at Immerse
It wasn’t too long ago that Chary’Elle made a decision that would change the trajectory of her life. Just a few years ago, after facing homelessness and a domestic violence situation, Chary’Elle decided to move to Arkansas. With nothing to her name, she began her search for safety and stability — a search that led her to Immerse.
When Chary’Elle first entered the doors of Immerse she admits that she was closed off because of her anxiety and depression. However, when she began meeting with an Immerse trauma therapist the walls anxiety and depression had built slowly came down. Chary’Elle says that therapy has taught her how to speak to and “coach” herself.
“I know how to lift my spirits up now,” she says. Now Chary’Elle is thankful for her time at Immerse and how her experience brought her closer to God.
While in our LifeBASE Transitional Program, Chary’Elle got her driver’s license and own vehicle, maintained a job, and created her own website and LLC.
“A year ago today, I couldn’t tell you who Chary’Elle was, but today I can tell you who Chary’Elle is.”
Today you’ll find Chary’Elle hard at work in cosmetology school taking steps toward her goal of opening her own salon. She’s living in a dorm and still meeting regularly with an Immerse trauma therapist. On top of all of that, she is also working two jobs. What an amazing young woman. Chary’Elle is truly an overcomer! To learn more about Chary’Elle’s story and see the impact that Immerse has had on her life, scan the QR code.
MEET CHARY’ELLE!
Inspiring Overcomers
The OC Youth Center
The OC Youth Center is the hub of Immerse operations and the front door to healing for a lot of the young people we serve. In 2023 alone, over 300 youth stepped through our doors. At The OC, youth are met with friendly faces and tools to help them on their journey. From practical supports like laundry, showers, hot meals, and wifi to programming like oneon-one coaching, life skills classes, trauma therapy, employment coaching, and more, The OC is designed to meet youth where they are and inspire them to begin pursuing big goals for the future.
2,040 Meals Provided
1,058 Life Skills Classes Taught
380 Hours of Onsite Trauma Therapy Provided
“Hello! My name is Jasmine. I discovered Immerse on October 10, 2023. My family and I had just recently burned our bridges, and it was time for me to learn how to build myself up. I did not have much guidance or knowledge about being an adult. I didn’t have the best role models. All I had was the motivation to not become a product of my environment. [At The OC], I walked in and connected with a coach who listened and comforted me. I was not only able to comfortably open up but also receive reliable and trustworthy help on learning how to be an adult.
Immerse has provided so much support and that alone is what really pushed me to get out of crisis into stability. I never had someone who would cheer me on to the finish line while also coaching me through the mile. When I graduated from CNA school I had so much support from the Immerse staff that I couldn’t do nothing but cry. I don’t know what would have happened if I didn't find them.”
—Jasmine, Immerse Overcomer
Taking Steps Toward Healing
How Recreational Therapy Changes Lives
In 2023, Immerse youth collectively hiked over 106 miles. More than 106 miles filled with laughter, pressing past their comfort zones, building positive relationships, and processing challenges and past trauma. From hiking, rock climbing, art projects, basketball tournaments, and even building their own garden– youth at Immerse have stepped into new experiences this past year in a way that has truly been transformative!
Immerse Recreation Manager Justin Kirkes shares, “The 170+ intentionally designed recreational activities and transformational experiences provided this past year have helped
restore youth confidence, increased youth coping skills for managing stress and physical health, increased youth willingness to try new or challenging opportunities, and provided youth with normalized, age-appropriate experiences.”
Partner Highlight
Thank you to the Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas for your investment in recreational therapy at Immerse! Youth in our community are better equipped to heal from past trauma and enter adulthood with tools for a healthier future. In 2024, Immerse looks forward to growing our therapy team and launching the Immerse Therapist Fellowship Program in partnership with the Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas.
“What is Recreational Therapy?”
Recreational therapy is the intentional facilitation of recreational experiences to help reduce tension, stress, and anxiety, provide support in the recovery of mental and emotional capacity, build confidence, and develop social skills.
Achieving Healthy Adulthood
Is healthy adulthood within reach?
Did you know?
When a young person enters our LifeBASE transitional living program, they’re connected to an Immerse coach, volunteer mentor, and trauma therapist.
Here’s what that kind of support can do!
In 2023:
From getting help finding and maintaining a job, finishing school, learning how to save and manage their money, and more, our LifeBASE transitional living program equips youth for healthy adulthood. of youth experienced improved well-being including their physical & mental health of youth exited to safe & stable housing of youth were connected to at least one healthy adult, such as a trained Immerse mentor of youth experienced improved earning potential through educational or employment progress 75% 71% 81% 60%
Instead of facing life on the streets or couch surfing, 33 youth & their 10 children received safe, transitional housing in support homes & apartments
Overcoming Together
A Community of Support through LifeBASE Teen
Teenage years can be particularly challenging. For youth who have been in foster care or who have been adopted, trauma can make navigating these years even more difficult.
Through one-on-one coaching, training, support, and relationship-building activities, LifeBASE Teen forms a supportive community, addresses past trauma, and equips these teens and their families for that transition into healthy and resilient adulthood. In 2023, Immerse supported 43 teens and their foster and adoptive families through one-on-one coaching, life skills training, trauma therapy, mentorship, and relationship-building events.
In Arkansas, teens in foster care move an average of every 3.5 months. In 2023, 84% of youth supported by LifeBASE Teen maintained their placement within their foster or adoptive family or moved to their own safe and stable housing. For these teens, that’s a difference of 3-4 moves per year to no moves.
Immerse has expanded our reach to not only include serving teens ages 14-18 in foster and adoptive families, but also those living in Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) settings due to lack of foster and adoptive placements or significant mental health needs.
In 2023, over half of the foster and adoptive teens served through LifeBASE Teen were living in a QRTP setting. Often, these youth have the highest needs and the least amount of relational support.
With your support, we’re changing the landscape of what it means to be a teen in foster care in Arkansas.
“Our coaches are often the only visitors those teens have on a weekly basis. We see the impact by walking with these teenagers and helping them prepare for adulthood.”
-Immerse LifeBASE Manager (on serving teens in residential settings)
LEARN MORE
Protection for Now, Possibilities for the Future
The Station, Arkansas’ First Shelter for Young Adults
On any given night last year, more than 100 youth were sleeping on the streets in Central Arkansas. From experiences in foster care, abuse at home, and everything in between, each young person’s story is unique and marked by trauma.
Our community has provided a solution designed for youth who are homeless. With your help, Immerse Arkansas is building The Station– Arkansas’ first shelter specifically designed for young adults ages 18-24.
The Station will offer protection for now and possibilities for the future.
In 2023, we asked our community to come alongside us and help spread the word about The Station. You stepped up in incredible ways!
Pop Up Installations
Thanks to 11 different churches and businesses, Immerse traveled around Central Arkansas sharing about The Station. As a result, 76 new monthly donors joined us in 2023 and said YES to doing whatever it takes to care for youth from crisis in our state.
Thank you to our Pop Up Hosts
Live Thankfully Little Rock
Blackberry Market Argenta
Fellowship Bible Church
First Baptist Little Rock
Refuge Church
Calvary Baptist Church
St. Andrews Church
Fellowship North
Summit Church Little Rock
Nexus Coffee & Creative
New Life Church West
Little Rock
A Strong Foundation
Check Out What’s Been Happening at The Station
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Hundreds of donors, volunteers, community partners, and supporters gathered in May to celebrate as we broke ground on The Station. Key speakers included City of Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins, Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam, and DHS Deputy Secretary for Youth and Families Mischa Martin. From pouring the foundation and putting up framing to finalizing shelter programming, significant progress was made on The Station in 2023.
Once complete, The Station will feature 15 suites, each equipped with their own bedroom and bathroom, as well as a shared kitchen, recreation space, and private rooms for therapy and coaching. We look forward to opening our doors in 2024 and providing safe shelter and support to roughly 100 youth per year through The Station.
Left to Right: Immerse Arkansas Board of Directors, Community Members Celebrating at the Groundbreaking Ceremony, Construction Progress on The Station
Immerse Executive Director Eric Gilmore
Growing Our Impact
Immerse puts down roots in Conway
We believe that together, we can build an expansive pathway to healing available to every youth from crisis in Arkansas. This includes meeting youth right where they are — in their own communities.
In 2023, Immerse officially opened the doors to our second site — located in Conway! With this expansion, Immerse will help even more youth from crisis access the resources they need to overcome trauma and abuse, prepare for healthy adulthood, and experience unconditional love and support in a community they call “home.”
“Through conversations with DCFS, community leaders and partners, and foster and adoptive families, it became clear that Conway would be an ideal city to grow Immerse’s support. Conway’s collective optimism, deep sense of pride, and collaborative atmosphere provide a fantastic foundation for youth from crisis to experience healing, growth, and transformation.”
- Eric Gilmore, Executive Director
This additional site is located in a cozy, welcoming house near downtown Conway. It’s the perfect setting for our LifeBASE Teen program, since much of our work often takes place in homes. This transitional program is specifically designed for teens ages 14-18 who are in foster care or who have been adopted.
We work with each teen and foster/adoptive family to meet their unique needs by providing training and one-on-one support. Community members, local partners, and supporters gathered to join us in celebrating this big win for Immerse and for our state at a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 12, 2023.
“Immerse Arkansas is a long-time and valued partner of DHS,” said Department of Human Services (DHS) Deputy Secretary Mischa Martin.
“Their work in the community to support youth is making a real impact every day, and we are thrilled that they are expanding that impact to more youth in the Faulkner County community.”
Watch this video to learn more about LifeBASE Teen
Immerse Team & Board Celebrate Opening of New Site
Looking Ahead
The work we’ve accomplished together in 2023 is tremendous! But we know there is more work ahead to pave a pathway to healing available to every youth from crisis in Arkansas. Thanks for partnering with us to make overcoming possible!
We look forward to:
• Expanding our employment programming to include internship & training opportunities for youth preparing for the workforce
• Growing our mentoring program so that every youth who wants a mentor, has one
• Launching a therapist fellowship program, which includes growing our therapy team & offering top notch trauma therapy to youth when they need it the most
• Opening Arkansas’ first shelter for young adults
Thank You
Your support is providing the unconditional relationships, tools, and the vision youth need in order to heal from past trauma and pursue big dreams for the future!
2023 Total Expenses: 2023 Total Revenue: $3,399,473 $6,299,173
Leadership
Leadership Team
ERIC GILMORE, MSW
Executive Director
eric@immersearkansas.org
JUSTIN SANDERS, LCSW
Assistant Director
jsanders@immersearkansas.org
TERRIA DIGGINS, MBA
Director of Programs tdiggins@immersearkansas.org
SYDNEY FOSTER, LMSW
Director of Grants & Impact
sydney@immersearkansas.org
ASHLEY HOOTEN
Director of Generosity
ahooten@immersearkansas.org
Founders, Eric and Kara Gilmore, with Immerse Board Members
Board of Directors
TANNER MEZEL
Board President Strategy Consultant
JEROME STRICKLAND, MBA
Board Vice President
Breakthrough Solutions Inc, Co-Founder & COO, The Contingent, Executive Director of Arkansas
BO BOSCHETTI
Board Treasurer
Simmons Bank, SVP Lending Operations
CAROL SPENST
Board Secretary Chick-Fil-A, Owner
JIMMY ALESSI
Alessi Keyes Construction, CEO
ROBERT COOK
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Bishop
HANNA MANNING
Child Advocate
ROBBI RIGGS
Arkansas Attorney General, Deputy General Counsel
CHARLIE SIMPSON, LPC, LMFT
Arkansas Relationship Counseling, Owner & Therapist
DIANE TRACY
Child Advocate
STEPHANIE WILCOX
Child Advocate
DAN WILLIAMS
Garver Engineering, Former CEO (Retired)
Immerse Board Member Charlie Simpson facilitating a youth panel discussion