Arkansas to open 'The Station', its first shelter specifically for young adults
Eric Gilmore is the executive director of Immerse Arkansas and said The Station is specifically for young adults ages 18-24 in vulnerable situations as well as those getting out of the foster care system and making that transition into life as an adult on their own.
According to Immerse Arkansas, in 2023 over 100 youth were sleeping on the streets every night in Central Arkansas.
Gilmore's story of helping foster children goes back years when he and his wife were foster parents.
"We just saw kids turning 18 and having a really hard time," said Gilmore. "That is really what propelled us to launch Immerse and to serve these young people: just seeing the big needs and the gaps. It is really designed with some of those young people that we served early on who are aging out of foster care. It is the kind of place we wish would have existed for them when they were in that situation."
The shelter will have 15 bedrooms equipped with bathrooms and closets.
People who stay at the shelter will have access to a counselor and a life coach.
"The community has been so helpful," said Gilmore. "We have been able to build a lot of strong programs over the years."
Immerse also has a youth center and a transitional program in Little Rock.
Kimberly Cook, founder of Live Thankfully another nonprofit organization in Little Rock, said her organization has worked hand-in-hand with Immerse Arkansas.
Cook said her organization has raised over $200,000 for Immerse Arkansas over the last few years.
It is simply Arkansans helping Arkansans.
"It is so exiting to be here and to see this shelter come to fruition," said Cook. "It is going to be a place every day giving hope to youth who have lost their hope. It is really exciting every day in Arkansas to see how this organization, Immerse, is making a difference."