Kendall County Women's Shelter

The mission of the  Kendall County Women's Shelter is to provide safe, emergency shelter in a  supportive environment where Texas Hill Country victims of domestic  violence and their children can begin the healing process and receive  the support services they need to build new lives. 

Since  the 1990's, Kendall County has operated one of the hill country’s most  responsive Victim Services programs.  Initially funded by grants for the  Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, the Victim Services Coordinator  has operated as a part of the County Attorney’s office and has developed  a strong working relationship with local law enforcement agencies.    Dedicated personnel have been on call around the clock, providing  services to victims of all types of crime, educating victims about the  criminal justice process, securing assistance for those harmed by  violent crime, and advocating for the rights of victims. 

Despite  the services provided to crime victims, it became clear to those  involved that a significant gap in services existed in Kendall County.   Victims of domestic violence who wished to leave an abusive environment  had no local option for a safe haven.  As a result, a woman wishing to  leave a dangerous home was forced to temporarily relocate to another  community whose shelter could accommodate her and her children.  Often,  the only options available were to go to a shelter in Hondo, Kerrville,  Seguin, or San Antonio.  This meant leaving jobs and removing children  from their schools, further disrupting an already unstable situation.   As a result, many women chose to return to an abusive home.

Recognizing  the need for a local shelter, a small handful of citizen advocates  founded the Kendall County Women’s Shelter (originally called the  Kendall County Women’s Center) in 2005.  This small group developed a  project plan, and began the process of educating the  community about the need for a shelter and determining the feasibility  of making their plan for a shelter become a reality.

After  securing property, KCWS undertook a successful capital campaign, led by  Michael and Cindy Glick, to raise funds for the shelter’s  construction.  Through the generosity of Boerne architect Ben  Adam, who donated his design services, and Bartlett Cocke Contractor  Darrell White, who donated construction management construction began in  March 2011.  During that time, KCWS has grown its board to reflect not  only the community, but the scope of the project.  As a result of the  hard work of its board and volunteers – and the generous support of the  local community – the Kendall County Women’s Shelter opened the facility  in the Spring of 2012 to provide a safe place to end domestic violence,  one family at a time.        

source: http://www.kcwstexas.org/mission-and-history.html