Ground broken for $3 million Little Rock youth shelter
Katelyn Slater puts a prayer she wrote into a time capsule that will be buried on the site of The Station, a new youth shelter for people ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness and other traumas, during a groundbreaking ceremony for the shelter on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Stephen Swofford)
An Arkansas agency dedicated to serving unsheltered youth broke ground Tuesday on its soon-to-be $3 million dollar shelter described as "the first of its kind" in the state.
Founded in 2010, nonprofit group Immerse Arkansas joined Little Rock city officials Tuesday morning to present the next steps to community members.
The shelter -- which is officially named "The Station" -- will be a place homeless youth in Arkansas can "leave the past in the past," speakers said Tuesday.
At approximately 10,000 square feet, The Station will be located at 3201 Mary St. in Little Rock.
According to the team at Immerse, the shelter will be the first to focus on long-term stay and services geared toward youth ages 18-24.
Clean-up of the lot started last summer when contractors with Immerse demolished an older structure sitting on the property.
The completed facility will offer 15 suites that include private bedrooms and bathrooms.
Those living at The Station will also have access to shared kitchen and recreation spaces, counseling accommodations, outdoor facilities and more.
A special note to our youth - You are the real story here.
Keep up the great work, keep pressing on, and keep overcoming. All of Arkansas wants you to succeed, and so many people are on your side and cheering for you!