Next Step Day Room names new executive director

Amy Sherrill has been named the executive director of the Next Step Day Room, according to a statement released by the organization.

Sherrill had served as the interim executive director since September. She joined the nonprofit agency in November 2011 as the marketing manager.

Prior to her work at the Next Step Day Room, Amy was an award-winning news reporter at the Times Record.

Sherrill earned a bachelor's degree in theatre arts from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., and attended graduate school at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, Mo.

The Next Step Day Room is a homeless service agency in Fort Smith, which includes a day shelter and resource center open Monday through Friday. The Day Room offers several services including individual case management, job counseling, psychological assessment, life-skills training, hot meals, bicycle rentals, phone availability with after-hours messaging, mail service, budgeting classes, anger management classes and assistance with affordable housing searches.

The Next Step Day Room also operates three supportive homes in the community. They are the Buddy Smith Home focusing on homeless military veterans; the Esther Home for homeless women and women with children; and the Gabriel House for single homeless men.