Immerse’s Launch in Northwest Arkansas
In Northwest Arkansas, there are roughly 400 youth in the 4-county foster care system (Area 1: Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll Counties). Approximately 39% of these young people are ages 12 and older.
Immerse has completed a detailed needs assessment for Northwest Arkansas, including source Interviews with other providers in the area, and has developed a regional launch plan to serve youth from crisis in Benton and Washington Counties and the surrounding area. Immerse’s launch into Northwest Arkansas will be a staggered approach depending on funding, staff recruitment and program implementation.
teens and their families face challenging prospects in northwest arkansas:
There are no transitional living beds in the area to support youth in extended foster care.
Due to lack of options, it is reported that some youth have resorted to living under bridges.
There is a wave of disruption and divorce among adoptive families who receive few supportive services.
The juvenile detention center is often the best option for youth who re-enter the community but also are at high risk for homelessness.
Our goal is to build a broad, reliable pathway to healing for every youth from crisis in Arkansas.
why immerse is expanding
Teens and young adults make up 1/3 of Arkansas’ foster care system. Of these 1,200 young people, roughly 200 youth age out of the system every year.
National studies show that nearly 40% of youth who age out of foster care will experience homelessness before their 24th birthday. In addition, one in three teens on the street will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. And unfortunately, youth who experience homelessness are 3 times more likely to commit suicide than their peers.
We want to disrupt the cycles of trauma and poverty that afflict teens and young adults connected to the foster care system.
We see a future where growing up in foster and adoptive care in Arkansas isn’t solely a devastating setback, but also a starting point for healing. A place where youth have a reliable pathway to get the support and structures they need to overcome crisis in enter adulthood resilient and ready for life.
the problem
Abuse, neglect and trauma have wreaked havoc on the relationships, identity and resilience of youth from crisis, making their transition to adulthood extremely challenging.
THE SOLUTION
We believe when we surround youth from crisis with unconditional relationships, tools that anticipate their needs and dreams and a vision for their restored future, we create a climate that leads to healing, growth and transformation.
Your donation will help us build a broad, reliable pathway available to every youth from crisis in arkansas. overcoming starts here… in northwest arkansas!
“In my seven months at Immerse, I’ve overcome challenges with school, not really understanding the dynamics of college or what I’m supposed to be doing at any given time,” he added. “I’ve been gaining physical strength, as well as emotional and psychological strengths. I’m just trying to better myself as much as I can.” — sam, age 19
Interested in learning more about Immerse’s expansion into Northwest Arkansas and how to support this growth?