To understand the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), think about the body’s fight or flight response to trauma. In the face of trauma, the primitive mind takes over. Anxiety builds, and the body releases energy through an increased heart rate, sweating, or tensing up. Imagine being a child who goes into fight or flight mode every day. Think about how exhausting that would be. How can a child think, reason, learn, or even interact with others when they are spending so much energy being hypervigilant? Eddie Donovan, executive director of the Fort Smith Boys Home, understands the impact ACEs can have on children’s development. For the last 41 years, Fort Smith Boys Home has helped thousands of children develop effective coping skills to overcome their ACEs and begin living healthy lives.
Arkansas Children Are More Prone to ACEs Than Most
The original ACEs study focused on 10 adverse experiences. We now know that other adversities, such as racism, homelessness, and food insecurity, can also impact health outcomes. Arkansas data indicates that ACEs are more common in Arkansas children than the national average. Fort Smith Boys Home has offered support and treatment to Arkansas boys with a variety of ACEs.
“There are obvious adverse or traumatic events a child can experience, such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment,” Eddie says. “But there are also more subtle ACEs like exposure to domestic violence, parental addiction or mental illness, and child caregiving of an addicted adult. We are often surprised to learn about what people can do to one another, but we’re also surprised by what a person can overcome.”
A boy entering Fort Smith Boys Home has an average of seven to nine ACEs, though Eddie says they have seen up to 15. When children experience trauma, they have difficulty focusing, are distrustful, exhibit frequent anger and frustration, and have intrusive memories of their trauma. “That’s where a treatment program like the Fort Smith Boys Home comes in,” Eddie says.
Creating a Safe, Supportive Environment
When a boy arrives at the home, he receives a clear message from day one: he is safe, belongs, and has support that cares about him. “The Boys Home strives to create an environment where boys feel comfortable and able to talk about their feelings, experience a strong sense of belonging and identity, and create positive childhood memories,” Eddie says. Positive childhood experiences are proven to reboot the brain and dial back the reactive fight or flight response caused by ACEs.
The Fort Smith Boys Home staff cultivate positive experiences for the boys. Because of these positive interactions, boys feel like someone is in their corner. They are able to participate in family-style traditions and community events, and they’re protected by adults who have a genuine interest in them.
“All Fort Smith Boys Home staff are trained in trauma-informed care,” Eddie says. “Trauma-informed care allows caregivers to display knowledge and application of positive parenting skills while being mindful of what kids have experienced and how that impacts the child’s ability to interact with the world.”
Staff are encouraged to develop appropriate, close, and supportive relationships with the boys through social interaction and trips to local community events. “We encourage staff to participate in community dinners with the boys at restaurants and churches and take frequent trips to zoos, amusement parks, aquariums, sporting events, and any other community events the boys can find,” Eddie adds.
The boys also work on individual problem-solving skills and self-regulation abilities, social connectedness, mindfulness, and coping skills. “Sadly, most of our boys have never had the positive experiences they do here. It’s magic to see a boy’s eyes light up and become excited when they experience something new like that,” Eddie says.
Transforming Young Lives
The Fort Smith Boys Home has left a lasting impact on thousands of boys, several of whom leave with a blossoming sense of self and healthy coping and problem-solving skills that allow them to thrive.
“I’ll tell you about a boy we’ll call ‘Kevin.’ He came to the Boys Home at age 15, weighed 90 pounds, and was about the size of a grade schooler. Kevin spent much of the first eight years of his life in a cage. He had never attended school and had been in over 30 placements and residential settings over seven years. Kevin was very distrustful of adults, ate only food that could fit through cage wire, did not like to be touched at all, and hated water, all due to the abuse he experienced in his childhood. Today, Kevin just turned 18. He asks for hugs and enjoys school. He’s caught up to the 10th grade. He shares his love of diecast cars and robotics with others! He’ll shower without a fight. Kevin is a totally different kid than when he walked in our doors.”
“Another boy, let’s call him ‘Chad,’ had been with adoption for two years. We don’t know a lot about the abuse Chad suffered. He is autistic and has many sensory and food needs. Chad attended an alternative school for behaviors when he arrived at the Boys Home. He rarely spoke to others and didn’t participate in group events. Today, Chad attends regular classes where he gets good grades. He’s come out of his shell. He is the captain of the quiz bowl team and sings in the choir where he regularly performs for audiences and placed in State this year. Chad loves outings now and poses for funny photos. He even creates his own music videos.”
“Finally, ‘Paul’ has been with us for about two years. He came from a household with drug-addicted parents who went to prison. He suffered abuse and neglect before coming to the Boys Home and was the only one of his siblings not adopted from his sibship. Paul was frequently angry, put holes in the wall, cursed staff daily early on, and generally acted half his age. Now, Paul is one of the leaders of the house. He still struggles with language and the occasional broken item, but he has overcome so much overall. This week, Paul is going home with adoptive parents!”
“We are so proud of all the boys!” Eddie says.
There Are Several Ways to Show Your Support
The Fort Smith Boys Home recently purchased a new building, allowing staff to offer expanded services and increased capacity. The new building will house an additional 12 boys from the 12 in the existing house. Construction and renovation of this new structure will cost over $1.5 million. “Every donation we receive helps us make a difference in a boy's life,” Eddie says.
“There are several ways to donate. We have an annual car show and auction scheduled for September 14, 2024, at the Ben Geren Community Complex in Fort Smith starting at 8 a.m. It’s a great experience for the family.”
“We also host a fall barbecue with all the fixings where we cook fresh pork roasted for hours. Check our Facebook page for dates.”
“Finally, we have a Christmas fudge fundraiser. We are blessed to have the best fudge maker in Arkansas on our staff, who sells her down-home goodness every year from Thanksgiving to Christmas.”
No child should have to endure the trauma and adversity that ACEs inflict, but the Fort Smith Boys Home provides the safety, support, and care these boys need to process those experiences, build resilience, and finally thrive. Visit the Fort Smith Boys Home website to learn more about the vital work they do to support boys throughout the state, find out about events and projects, and discover how you can get involved.
Learn more about the impact of ACEs and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). AFMC’s 8th annual ACEs and Resilience Summit is scheduled for August 8, 2024. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn about ACEs research and the incredible work being done across the state to foster resilience and combat ACEs. This year’s theme is Living in a House of Cards, Dealing with ACEs in Our Lives. Save the date and keep an eye out for the registration link coming soon.
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