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First youth shelter in Arkansas to open later this summer

After an anonymous donation, the first youth shelter in Arkansas will soon be opening to young adults who are facing homelessness.

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Immerse Arkansas, a nonprofit in Arkansas, is one step closer to opening the first youth shelter in the state.

Recently, the organization received an anonymous donation of $900,000 to complete construction.

"We were thrilled to find out somebody had anonymously given that last donation to get us to that 3 and a half million mark, which will pay for the whole construction, plus all the furnishings. It will help us open the doors debt-free," said Eric Gilmore, the Executive Director of Immerse Arkansas.

The shelter will be called "The Station."

The organization has been around since 2010, but this has been a dream for leadership for several years. They were finally able to break ground last year.

The 10,000 square foot building will hold 15 suites where each person can have their own bedroom, bathroom, and thermostat.

While this has been years in the making, Immerse Arkansas has helped hundreds of young adults, including Mic Coleman.

"There were times where I just didn't know if I would make it and I would pull through," said Coleman.

When she was in high school Coleman faced homelessness and relied on others for shelter while she attended school. That's until she found Immerse Arkansas.

Immerse found housing for her and helped her not only graduate high school but supported her efforts as she became the first college graduate in her family.

Now, Coleman has been helping the next generation of Immerse graduates as the organization finishes building "The Station."

"I really love it. I think it's really beautiful and they've chosen some good colors," said Coleman.

The facility will be a temporary place for young adults to get back on their feet. There will be resources and mental health services.

"This is really about getting young people off the streets and protecting them at a really vulnerable time," Gilmore explained.

It's intended to be a safe place to focus on the future, and that's something Coleman said is possible with the right help.

"If I did it, you can do it too. It's not easy, but it's worth the fight. It's worth the healing," said Coleman.

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