Immerse Arkansas announced Thursday that every dollar donated through the end of the year will be matched up to $200,000.
The organization plans to get a head start on this goal by raising $25,000 through Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1.
Immerse Arkansas was founded in 2010 with the singular mission of transforming youth from crisis into successful leaders and citizens. It serves youth between the ages of 14 and 24, whose past trauma and challenges have created barriers to becoming independent, healthy and successful adults.
The organization’s coaches work with youth and families to address the underlying trauma resulting from abuse or neglect. They build a comprehensive support structure, or “tribe,” for each individual and invest the time necessary to help youth heal and overcome life’s challenges so they can find wellness, community and purpose.
Immerse Arkansas will use the funds raised to expand programming and services for youth from crisis and those exiting foster care. Immerse gives these youths a place to stay, resources to help them find jobs or continue their education and mentors to teach them independent living skills. Immerse has helped more than 1,000 youths since its inception in 2008.
“Thanks to several extremely generous local individuals and organizations, this matching opportunity will allow us to dream bigger for youth from crisis as we look to 2021,” said Eric Gilmore, executive director of Immerse Arkansas. “We are so thankful for the donors who made this matching opportunity possible, and we are lucky to have a community that is so committed to helping young people overcome their challenging circumstances.”
In October, Immerse also kicked off a $800,000 renovation project to update its headquarters with more classrooms, a computer lab and an industrial-grade kitchen.
“We are looking forward to continued growth for Immerse in 2021, knowing that the more we are able to do for youth from crisis, the more we will impact coming generations,” Gilmore said.
More information is available at ImmerseArkansas.org.
