Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Archives for May 2019

McKinney Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary with Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter!

Throughout his ten year career with the Shelter, Joshua has held many roles, including Youth Care Specialist, Youth Care Supervisor, Warehouse Manager, Food Service Manager and, most recently, Facilities Manager. This wide variety of experience has given him a unique perspective on the role of the Shelter and the programs that we provide on a daily basis. We are so […]

NWA Children’s Shelter Applies for Trauma-Informed Charter School

We are so excited about the possibility of expanding our trauma-informed education services to children throughout Northwest Arkansas who have suffered from abuse, neglect or other adverse childhood experiences. We are one step closer to making Hope Academy of Northwest Arkansas a reality! Our application has been submitted to the Arkansas Department of Education and we will […]

Samuel

Samuel came from an environment of neglect. He didn’t know where his next meal would come from, and he spent much of his young life on the streets.

Read more about SamuelImpact stories

Meet Samuel

Samuel came from an environment of neglect. He didn’t know where his next meal would come from, and he spent much of his young life on the streets.

By the time he arrived at the Children’s Shelter at 16-years old, he’d experienced 26 failed placements, was reading at a second grade level and failure was just a normal part of life.

Upon meeting Samuel, the dedicated team at the Shelter began building trust with him and created an individualized success plan.

He has not only received the care, love and vital services he so desperately needed, but he has thrived. Samuel has made great strides in school. He is working on life skills such as changing the oil in the Shelter vans, assisting with set-up for Shelter events and helping reconcile petty cash in the business office. He’s even opened up a bank account and visited different work environments to discuss career options for his future.

Before the Shelter, Samuel didn’t know home. At the Shelter, he’s found not only a home, but a family.

Due to a rough childhood, I had lost all hope in life. The Shelter changed my life for the better. I’ve been given opportunities I never, ever thought I could get in life.”

Rhiannon, age 17

While at the Shelter, I went from an 8th grade math level to almost a 12th grade level. I’m pretty proud of that.

Tasha, age 17

I felt like I was being taken care of for the first time.

Kyle, age 9