Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Archives for August 2019

Charter school in Northwest Arkansas for kids in trauma favored

Jake Gibbs, Education Director, and Maury Peterson, Executive Director of the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter watch Tuesday, August 13, in Little Rock as their charter school application is approved by the Charter Authorizing Panel. – Photo by John Sykes Jr. Story by Cynthia Howell, Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Hope Academy of Northwest Arkansas Charter Approved

The Arkansas Charter Authorizing Panel has approved an open-enrollment charter school to be housed on the campus of the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter (NWACS). Hope Academy of Northwest Arkansas is designed to serve children who have experienced significant childhood trauma. It will be the first of its kind in Arkansas and one of the first […]

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.

I love it here because I feel safe. The staff are here for me when I need them. Plus, I got to go to a Razorback game!

Jesse, age 11

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

The staff treated me as if I were their family. They were always there for me and always reminded me of my worth.

Kiyasha, age 15