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Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

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Hope Academy

On October 10, 2019, the Arkansas Department of Education Board of Directors unanimously ratified the Arkansas Charter Authorizing Panel approval of Hope Academy of Northwest Arkansas! Hope Academy, the first trauma-centered school in Arkansas, opened its doors on the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter campus in August 2020. The charter school is an expansion of the mission of the Shelter and fills an educational gap that currently exists in Northwest Arkansas. Children who have experienced trauma, many of whom have the same profile as our current residents, are now able to find specialized, small classes taught by trauma-trained teachers who strive to create a safe environment for the children to learn, cope, manage and thrive. Our teachers and staff are specially trained to provide an educational space for learners with unique needs. Our team-based approach fosters student success by understanding and meeting physiological, social and emotional needs of students.

For more than 24 years, the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has operated a school on site for residents of the Shelter. Our goal now is to expand those much-needed services to children throughout Northwest Arkansas who will benefit greatly from a trauma-centered educational setting. This expansion of services will allow us to begin to break the cycle of abuse and trauma and provide hope to vulnerable children and families.

For more information, visit hopeacademynwa.org.

Seth

Seth* had a tough beginning in life. His mother was not someone who could be trusted or relied upon. Because of her own struggles with drug abuse and mental health, she couldn’t provide the very basics of care for Seth. As a young child, Seth was raised, off and on, by his grandparents. However, when […]

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Meet Seth

Seth* had a tough beginning in life. His mother was not someone who could be trusted or relied upon. Because of her own struggles with drug abuse and mental health, she couldn’t provide the very basics of care for Seth. As a young child, Seth was raised, off and on, by his grandparents. However, when they passed away, he was forced to return to his mother’s care.

Frightened and alone, doing what he could to survive without any support at home, Seth found himself in a downward spiral.

That’s when he arrived at the Shelter. When Seth walked through the doors of the Shelter, he was scared, angry and withdrawn. He kept his hood up and wasn’t comfortable with eye contact, personal communication or any acts of love or affection.

He wasn’t used to being surrounded by adults focused on meeting his needs. He had raised himself for most of his life. Within the safety of the Shelter, he had to learn how to trust.

While at the Shelter, Seth was able to recover his high school credits and graduate on schedule. He learned many new life skills, such as laundry, cooking, cleaning and money management. He is currently living independently, enjoying a new job and looking forward to starting college in the spring. His future is much brighter because of the care he received at the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.

*name and image changed to protect privacy

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

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

Brianne, age 12

I’m so glad that I got to spend my 12th birthday here at the Shelter. It was truly the best!

Marly, age 12

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860 NW Vaughn Road
Bentonville, AR 72713

479-795-2417
website@nwacs.org

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