Supporting Youth & Families in the midst of COVID-19: Immerse Featured on KATV
Our Executive Director, Eric Gilmore, shared with KATV some of the challenges youth from crisis and foster and adoptive families are facing during this time, and some of the ways you can help. Click here to view.
How can I help support youth & families during this time?
You can partner with Immerse in supporting youth from crisis and foster and adoptive families by joining us for our upcoming online giving events, or by volunteering! Read more below.
Giving Tuesday Now, May 5
On May 5th, join us for Giving Tuesday Now, a special Giving Tuesday event created to promote generosity in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Here at Immerse, we have triaged the basic needs of the youth we support. We are now focused on securing funds to ensure loving and healing spaces for our youth by making some key repairs to our housing. A loving space sends the message to our youth that they matter, it promotes their “felt safety,” and it inspires them to pursue their goals and aspirations.
One of our supportive homes is in need of significant updates to become a truly loving space:
New windows - This ensures safety in the event of a house fire and reduces energy expenses
Central heat and air - This house is currently using window units for AC that do not keep up with the demand in the summer
Our goal is to raise $30,000 to make these needed repairs. With the support of a couple donors who stepped up early to help, we have already raised $16,500 of the $30,000 needed to complete the repairs. As a thank you to everyone who is able to make a donation of $25 or more as we work toward creating loving spaces for our youth, we'll send a code for a free "Love is Rising" T-shirt.
Walk for the Waiting, May 2
On May 2nd, join us for this year’s virtual Walk for the Waiting, a giving event raising funds to support Immerse, The Call, and Project Zero. While Walk for the Waiting will not include an in-person walking event this year, you can still sign up and walk where you are. You can even post a picture of you and your family walking in your neighborhood or local park to show your support! Donate now or find out more at the Walk for the Waiting website.
Become a Mentor
Another key way to support youth from crisis is by becoming a mentor. As an Immerse mentor, you become a caring, nurturing connection for youth and a member of their “tribe” of support as they take steps of overcoming. To learn more about becoming a mentor, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at sduncan@immersearkansas.org.