Renovated Arlington homeless shelter plans to open Boys and Girls Clubs branch

As the Arlington Life Shelter enters its final phase of a $5.8 million remodel and expansion project, Jim Reeder has been named interim executive director.

Reeder, a longtime community leader and businessman, has been employed by the shelter since 2016. His community service includes 23 years on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arlington, including two terms as president.

Reeder replaces Becky Orander, who left to work with the Dallas Symphony. He will support the daily operations of the shelter as clients are transitioned from temporary shelters to the completed new shelter, which is being built through a capital campaign he has led.

The new 12,000-square-foot facility and the remodeled existing shelter on Division Street are set to be unveiled in June.

Established in 1987, the Arlington Life Shelter provides short-term shelter and support services for homeless men, women and children in North Texas. The shelter helps its homeless neighbors integrate back into society and contribute to the economy.

Reeder said he has also been working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County to open a branch in the new facility.

“Our plans are to have our increased number of kids go to BGC Main Branch during the summer and then begin operation of the Carol Zimmer Branch in the shelter when school starts in August,” Reeder said.

The late Zimmer was a longtime children’s advocate. A section of the shelter, Carol’s Clubhouse, was named in her memory a few years ago.

“We are excited that this will allow our kids to benefit from the well-established curriculum of BGC and trained personnel,” Reeder said. “It will maximize our use of the spaces built into the new building for children and youth programming such as Carol’s Clubhouse, playground, teen room, and an outdoor basketball court.”