Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Kickball for the Kids presented by PepsiCo

September 13

Join us for a day of friendly competition on the Kickball fields at the 14th Annual Kickball for the Kids presented by PepsiCo! All proceeds benefit the children at the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. For more information and to get your team involved, contact Sophie Williams at swilliams@nwacs.org or 479.795.2417 ext 350.

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.

*name and image changed to protect privacy

Here at this Shelter, staff members treat you with respect and lots of care. They are all helpful and are willing to listen to anything you have to say. I feel safe here.

Damien, age 17

The Shelter has truly given me hope to pursue my life to the fullest, put my past behind me, and move on to bigger and better things in life. The staff members, who I think of as family, have brought me to realize that I am valuable, strong and able to conquer anything I set my mind on.

Chelsea, age 13

I learned to be proud of who I am.

Javier, age 14