Hope, Safety & Healing for Survivors

Our emergency shelter serves as a safe, confidential haven for survivors and their children fleeing immediate domestic violence and life-threatening situations. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, our secure facility is continuously staffed by dedicated crisis workers who ensure your physical safety, lodging, warm nutritious meals, clothing, and personal care necessities are provided completely free of charge.

Throughout your stay, compassionate case managers work alongside you to provide trauma-informed emotional care, individualized safety planning, and transition assistance. We help connect residents with essential community resources, legal options, and sustainable housing solutions to restore peace of mind and build a solid foundation for independent living.

Leaving or coping with an abusive relationship can feel isolating and overwhelming, but you never have to walk this path alone. Domestic violence encompasses far more than physical violence—it often appears through subtle, insidious patterns of emotional manipulation, coercive control, verbal degradation, intimidation, and financial restriction intended to maintain power over another person.

Recognizing warning signs early is essential. Red flags to watch out for include extreme jealousy, possessiveness, constant surveillance or demand for phone and account passwords, explosive outbursts followed by apologies, isolating you from family and friends, blaming you for their anger, controlling your financial access, and making you feel as though you are constantly walking on eggshells.

Research shows that on average, it takes a survivor of domestic violence approximately seven times leaving before they are able to permanently escape an abusive relationship. Leaving takes extraordinary courage and safety planning. Whether this is your first time reaching out or your ninth time leaving, your physical and emotional safety is the most important priority, and our compassionate staff are here to support you without judgment every step of the way.

Surviving sexual assault or abuse is a profound trauma, and whether an incident occurred hours ago or years in the past, your feelings and safety matter. Our advocates provide unconditional, confidential crisis care centered entirely around your choices, personal autonomy, and healing timeline.

It is vital to know that sexual violence can occur in any situation or relationship. Marital rape is real, and being married, in a relationship, or previously intimate does not equal consent. Non-consensual sexual acts, sexual coercion, pressure, manipulation, and scenarios that are not commonly discussed or acknowledged are still violations and never okay—regardless of relationship status, setting, or circumstances.

Many people believe they know what human trafficking looks like from movies or sensationalized headlines, assuming it only occurs in distant places or international ports. In reality, human trafficking happens right here in our own neighborhoods, local workplaces, and East Texas communities. It involves using force, fraud, or coercion to exploit individuals for commercial sex or labor.

Recognizing the warning signs of trafficking in everyday settings can save lives. Key indicators to watch for include individuals who do not have possession of their own ID, phone, or money; individuals who appear fearful or coached when answering questions; persons with restricted freedom of movement or contact with family; excessive working hours with little or no pay; and living under the control or surveillance of an employer or third party.

We provide comprehensive survivor advocacy, secure crisis lodging, and specialized trauma-informed counseling for survivors of both labor and sex trafficking. Our team works with community task forces and legal advocates to ensure survivors receive immediate safety, basic physical needs, and the legal and emotional support required to rebuild their lives in safety.

Navigating young relationships can be confusing, and unhealthy patterns like extreme jealousy or controlling behavior often start early. Our Prevention Coordinator and Advocates visit middle schools, high schools, and colleges across East Texas to lead interactive seminars on healthy communication, boundary setting, and recognizing red flags, empowering youth to build safe, respectful relationships.

For parents, teachers, and loved ones, recognizing the subtle signs of dating violence in teens is critical. Key warning signs to watch out for include:

• Phone Checking & Digital Monitoring: Demanding account passwords, constant location tracking, checking private text messages, or dictating who they can message and follow online.
• Excessive Jealousy: Accusing the teen of flirting or infidelity, reacting with anger whenever they talk to peers, or demanding constant check-ins.
• Ignoring Boundaries: Disregarding emotional, physical, or personal limits, or refusing to accept "no."
• Guilt & Manipulation: Shifting blame, making the teen feel responsible for the partner's emotional outbursts, or using guilt to control decisions.
• Pressure & Control: Dictating what the teen wears, their daily routine, or the activities and hobbies they participate in.
• Isolation from Friends & Family: Gradually driving wedges between the teen and their closest friends, parents, or supportive mentors.

If you are concerned about your teenager or if you are a young person feeling uneasy about your relationship, our advocates provide a confidential, safe space to ask questions, discuss concerns, and receive guidance without judgment.

Navigating the legal justice system and securing community resources while coping with trauma can feel daunting. Advocates are here to provide comprehensive, confidential guidance to help survivors understand their legal rights, explore protective remedies, and access essential community referrals across East Texas.

Advocates offer direct assistance with preparing and filing protective orders, navigating civil court proceedings (such as divorce and child custody), accompanying clients to court hearings, and applying for Crime Victims' Compensation. We also connect individuals and families to community resources for emergency food, financial assistance, medical care, and housing stability.

Children and pre-teens impacted by domestic abuse or family violence require specialized, nurturing care to heal. A Child Advocate is here to provide dedicated advocacy within the education system, working with schools to ensure young survivors receive supportive academic accommodations, emotional stability, and a safe learning environment.

We offer expressive art and play counseling tailored for younger children to help them communicate and process complex emotions at their own pace, as well as peer support groups for pre-teens to foster healthy boundaries and self-esteem.

Emotional healing is a vital foundation for long-term recovery from trauma and abuse. Our licensed clinical therapists provide confidential, specialized individual counseling for adult and youth survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, helping you process trauma in a safe, gentle, and judgment-free environment.

In addition to one-on-one sessions, we facilitate trauma-informed peer support groups where survivors can connect with others walking similar paths. These supportive group settings foster mutual empowerment, break the painful isolation of abuse, rebuild self-confidence, and teach healthy emotional coping strategies.

Seeking medical attention following trauma or assault can feel intimidating and overwhelming. Survivors have the option to undergo comprehensive evidence collection with a compassionate, trauma-informed Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) nurse who can provide specialized medical care, ensure physical comfort, and respect patient autonomy every step of the way.

SANE nurses and staff work directly with healthcare facilities to explain medical and forensic procedures, coordinate necessary follow-up wellness care, and ensure your evidence is securely preserved. Survivors are supported with connecting to long-term healthcare resources, trauma recovery services, and financial assistance programs like Crime Victims' Compensation to alleviate medical expenses.

Finding safe, affordable housing is often one of the greatest hurdles survivors face when seeking permanent freedom from violence. Our 18-month residential Transitional Housing Program provides survivors and their children with a secure, stable living environment designed to bridge the gap between emergency shelter and permanent independence.

Residents in the program receive personalized case management, financial planning guidance, and life skills coaching in a supportive community setting. The program emphasizes self-sufficiency, career growth, and permanent housing placement, empowering families with the time and resources needed to achieve lasting stability.

Financial dependency is one of the primary reasons survivors remain in or return to abusive environments. The Economic Stability Program equips individuals with practical tools, skills, and resources to build long-term financial independence and professional confidence.

We provide comprehensive job readiness assistance, including resume development, interview preparation, job search assistance, and connections to vocational and educational opportunities. Clients also receive financial literacy coaching covering household budgeting, banking, credit repair, and sustainable housing strategies.

Preventing interpersonal violence and creating safer communities begins with education, open conversation, and widespread awareness. Our outreach team delivers professional trainings, informative workshops, and community presentations to schools, civic organizations, faith communities, businesses, and first responders across East Texas.

Our presentations cover critical topics including identifying the early warning signs of domestic abuse and sexual violence, recognizing the dynamics of human trafficking, teen dating violence prevention, and trauma-informed practices for healthcare and law enforcement professionals.

Contact our Prevention Coordinator at 936-639-1681 for more information and to schedule a presentation at your school or organization!

Creating safer families and breaking cycles of violence requires honest accountability and dedication to personal growth. The Battering Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) provides structured educational services for intimate partner violence offenders, designed to enhance victim safety and hold batterers accountable for past abusive behavior.

Following a state-accredited Texas curriculum, our program meets court-mandated educational requirements while challenging participants to take genuine responsibility for their actions. In weekly facilitator-led group discussions, participants examine the dynamics of power and control, learn how to identify personal triggers, and practice de-escalation and respectful communication techniques.