Creating a safe and stable environment where at-risk youth, who are aging out of foster care or have become homeless, learn the fundamentals of adulthood to empower them to overcome the cycle of dysfunction. The Fort Smith Children’s Emergency Shelter Independent Living Program, provides a safe and stable housing option along with life-skills training for youth in foster care at age 18 and beyond.
This program is designed to help foster youth reach self-sufficiency in a supportive environment that provides each program participant the opportunity to reach his or her goals for a happy and productive life. Get REAL 24 is an alternate name for the program using the acronym REAL (Restoring Empowering Alternative Living) and 24 being the number of units in the apartment complex. The program will consist of life-skills training that focuses on:
• Stable and safe housing
• Education that leads to sustainable employment opportunities
• Financial responsibility and money management
• Emotional and social well-being
• Positive and permanent connections with nurturing adults
• Engaging in the community through volunteer opportunities. In order to implement each objective successfully, Get REAL 24 will utilize relationships with state and local DHS the Youth Advisory Board (a board made up of foster youth from across Arkansas), local businesses/organizations, the University of Arkansas, trained mentors, and CES Staff.
