heart's instinct
Editorial By Susan O'Connor, illustration by Brittney Guest

As I toured the grounds of Consolidated Youth Services with executive director Bonnie Smith for this month’s Dedicated feature, coming face to face with kids who have taken a wrong turn, or whose parents’ lives have become out of control, I felt a huge amount of compassion. My heart’s instinct was to reach out to them and help in some way.

Some faces were open and friendly, others brooding and distant as days, weeks or even months are spent in this haven of sorts; a place where they have a chance to begin to move in a new direction.

I can relate to a difficult spot at an early age because I gave birth to my first child in November of my first semester of college. Friends my age who attended Arkansas State at the same time have said, “How did I not know you then?”

Well, I was changing diapers and studying – studying and changing diapers. My beautiful daughter, Brennan, was 3 when I graduated. This story is not so unusual. It has, however, defined me in ways I could not have known or predicted, just as the stories of youth whose rocky paths lead them to CYS will be threaded throughout their lives and hopefully make them more resilient and compassionate.

CYS primarily serves youth between the ages 10 to 17. But what about the babies, toddlers and smaller children who are removed from the home by the court system? What happens when a foster home is not available? Where do these innocents lay their heads at night?

There is a place that serves Northeast Arkansas — an entity that opened last year — that is struggling to stay afloat and stays perpetually full, accepting children from throughout the state. As of June of this year, The Children’s Shelter in Walnut Ridge has served 191 children from 21 counties, with 41 from Craighead County, 26 from Greene County and 34 from Lawrence County.

This shelter was the vision of one woman, Judy Turnbull, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer who saw the dire need for a safe nurturing environment for children in that traumatic window between being removed from their homes and some sort of resolution. She has worked tirelessly for several years to bring this place into reality.

I shot photos of the facility for promotional and fund-raising purposes and the design is well thought out and impressive, with a caring staff and devoted volunteers. One of those volunteers is my mother, and she is a most ardent supporter of the shelter. She has spent many hours rocking babies and wiping the tears of toddlers. Her first-hand accounts are heart wrenching.

As I write these words, my hope is to make a difference, as journalism has the power to do. The Children’s Shelter needs the support of the most powerful county and city in Northeast Arkansas. I hope that Jonesboro’s well-known generosity will extend to this crucial non-profit.

For more information about the shelter’s ongoing needs, visit www.facebook.com and The Children’s Shelter, and scroll to groups.