The Next Step Day Room is the only homeless shelter in Fort Smith open during the day with individual case management for anyone facing homelessness.  St. John’s offers the second floor of the Secrest Building, 123 North Sixth for this needed outreach.  Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., an average of 100 clients are seen daily, 460 clients per month and 1,800 clients annually.  We are the only shelter where our homeless community may receive mail and use a telephone to place and receive calls with after-hours messaging, which is vital in seeking employment.

Assistance is extended with job preparedness, employment and self-improvement classes.  Case management is tailored to the unique needs of each client.  Homelessness is virtually impossible to overcome without encouragement and a well-planned avenue to self-sufficiency.  The Next Step Day Room has experienced incredible success with only 35% of our clients needing services after six months.

We also have a nine-bedroom home on 17th Street for permanent supportive housing.  This is an intensive program with an individualized development plan for each resident to alter past patterns that led to their homelessness.

Recently, the Kiwanis Club purchased eight bicycles for our new “bike fleet”.  These bikes are used by men and women who are employed, but need transportation.

All clients are treated with utmost dignity and respect as they journey to self-sufficiency.

If you are interested in helping financially or in volunteering, please call us.

Gary Hays, Executive Director
Linda Gabriel, Associate Director
782-5433