Immerse Arkansas to open shelter for young adults in spring 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A first-of-its-kind shelter is one step closer to serving young adults in Little Rock who have found themselves without a permanent place to live.
On Tuesday morning, various city leaders gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to recognize this milestone for the state.
The future shelter, called The Station, will house 15 people aged 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness. Immerse Arkansas as well as city and state leaders all said that it's a step in the right direction.
Soon, young adults will have a place where they can overcome hardships from their past and plan their futures. Immerse Arkansas Executive Director Eric Gilmore explained that it's going to be more than just a shelter.
"They're going to be surrounded by people who love them are going to have a therapist, they're gonna have a coach, they're gonna have their own bedroom, they're gonna have their own bathroom," Gilmore said.
Their goal is to set them up for success after they leave.
"We have taken young people to adult homeless shelters that do great work, but they're just not designed for young people. They've got swept up into chronic homelessness. And we've seen it happen year after year after year. We're not going to let that happen anymore," Gilmore described.
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!