Group Holds Ribbon-Cutting in Little Rock for State’s First Shelter for Youth

After a year of construction, an Arkansas non-profit celebrated the completion of its $3 million youth shelter Thursday morning.

At the cut of the ceremonial ribbon, Immerse Arkansas, a non-profit group founded in 2010, presented the finalized version of The Station. Created to be a safe place for young people in the age range of 18-24 experiencing homelessness or other traumas, the 9,342-square-foot facility at 3201 Mary St. in Little Rock features 15 suites, according to an Immerse news release.

In the style of a college dorm room, each suite has a private bedroom and bathroom. There is a shared kitchen space and recreation space, along with offices for counseling and outdoor areas, the news release says.

"At a minimum you are just hoping it is somewhere safe to stay, right?" Tanner Mezel, the Immerse board president, said during the ceremony. "It is a dorm-style room and you feel hope when you walk in there, and you feel loved, you feel kindness, like people care about you."

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Morgun Wadley