Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Archives for July 2019

Austin’s Story

by Paulette Nesbitt, Title I Aide The effects of childhood trauma are vast and unique to each child. In the case of Austin*, an 11-year-old in our care, the physical, emotional, and social effects of trauma exposure impacted every aspect of his academic day. Initial reading and math assessments placed him two years below his fifth […]

Sadie

In February 2017, I was taken into the Children’s Shelter at 3:27 a.m.

Read more about SadieImpact stories

Meet Sadie

In February 2017, I was taken into the Children’s Shelter at 3:27 a.m.

Due to my past, I was terrified of what I may be walking in to. What if this is the last time I see my brothers? What if I’m completely removed from my “normal” life? I can only imagine what my brothers thought, let alone any other child in the system. This being said, I was shocked walking in to see portraits painted among the walls, a dining room, welcoming staff members … gosh, don’t get me started on how shocked I was to see that we had legit rooms.

They’re decorated! It’s amazing. Here at the Shelter they do their best to make you feel as welcomed and comfortable as possible … Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has honestly done the best they can do to help me in life. There was never a day that went by that I felt uncared for.

It was very hard adjusting, but I knew I was always okay in their hands.

I learned to be proud of who I am.

Javier, age 14

The Shelter felt like a family to me – always helping me when I needed it and making me feel at ease. I might be leaving, but a part of me is staying.

Chelle, age 16

I’m glad to have a place that has food, water, clothes, beds, and, most of all, electricity.

Brianne, age 12