Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter
The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is an emergency shelter that provides 24-hour residential care for 300-400 children each year who have been removed from their families due to physical abuse, sexual abuse, or severe neglect. During their stay at the shelter the children are provided with their immediate physical needs such a safe place to stay, food and clothing. To help the children cope with the abuse and neglect of their past and the recent separation from their families, they are also provided with emotional support such as counseling, blankets & stuffed animals to comfort them, and one-on-one attention from caring staff and volunteers. The children attend school on-site to prevent them the possible trauma of having to be enrolled in a strange new school. Medical, dental, vision, and hearing screenings are performed and transportation is also provided to court hearings and visits with family. Structured activities and outings promote confidence and self-esteem. The Shelter staff and volunteers are dedicated to making a long-term difference in the lives of hurting children by allowing them to feel safe and loved; therefore, breaking the cycle of abuse in their lives.
Heather's Story
Sixteen year old Heather came to the shelter after being sexually abused by her father. Heather’s delays in her social and emotional development were immediately obvious, as she still enjoyed playing with dolls and much younger children. She refused to take showers, wear deodorant, brush her hair, or change her clothes – even after wetting the bed every night. Other teen girls were mean to her because she smelled bad.
The case manager at the Children's Shelter worked with Heather daily to make sure that she learned proper hygiene. Heather was resistant at first, but felt much better about herself after she made an effort to take care of herself. Before Heather left the shelter, she realized that she had been attempting to avoid further sexual abuse by making herself as undesirable as possible. She was able to see a doctor for medication that helped her stop bed wetting. Heather felt safe enough at the shelter to meet her hygiene goals and feel proud about her appearance.