About
Greater San Marcos Youth Council is a great resource for children and families. In order to invest in Texas children not born to families committed to their well-being, a group of concerned citizens organized and developed the Greater San Marcos Youth Council in 1986 to provide shelter to maltreated children and support services to families. As a private, non-profit, our Children’s Shelter exists as a residential care home for children to develop a trusting relationship with each adult so that he/she will know that not all grown-ups will hurt them and that they are worthy of love and respect.
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We strive to strengthen families through our youth and family services available to Hays county residents. Our objective is to reduce child maltreatment, truancy, juvenile delinquency, as well as, increase families’ protective factors and resiliency to crisis. These services include: child and family counseling, parenting classes, youth and family advocacy, groups in schools, and truancy intervention, as well as a 24-hour toll-free crisis hotline available year round by youth and family counselors at 1-800-457-0797.
Interested in volunteering? Visit our support us page!
GSMYC operates the residential Children’s Shelter, licensed by DFPS, for children 2-17 by providing a structured and nurturing environment to children who have been victims of abuse and neglect.
Our Mission
Sheltering Children, Strengthening Families
Our Vision
We strive to strengthen families through our youth and family services available to Hays county residents. Our objective is to reduce child maltreatment, truancy, juvenile delinquency, as well as, increase families’ protective factors and resiliency to crisis.
Youth & Family Services (YFS) are available free of charge to youth under the age of 18 and their families residing in Hays County or who are eligible to attend Hays County schools.
The Children’s Shelter
The victims that come through our shelter are children who must be shielded from further abuse and learn that there are adults that can be trusted and who will not cause them further harm. We can’t put their picture on a wall or a website, but we can tell you their story and how their childhood has been snatched away from them due to physical, sexual and mental abuse.In the time we have them here we can love them, supply them the help they need to resume healthy growth, clothe and feed them, show them that there are adults that they can trust to not deliver empty promises.
Children have stayed from 30 days to 18 months at the Children’s Shelter for some; it is their home until more permanent arrangements can be made. The Children’s Shelter is a safe and stable home for children under the age of 17 who are unable to remain in their homes due to abuse and neglect. Over 75% of child abuse victims are harmed by their parents or other family members; the very people who are charged with keeping them safe. We feel certain you will agree it should not hurt to be a child and that each child born deserves to be safe, well cared for, and loved.
In addition to Basic Necessities Each Child is Provided With:
Psychological/Social, Medical, Dental and Vision Evaluations
Drug and Alcohol assessments
Common Application
Public Education or GED classes
Individual Counseling
Group Counseling
Life and Social Skills Training
Occupational and Speech Therapy
The Residential Contracting Division of DFPS recently reported the shelter having a 100% safety rating. Variances are requested and most often granted by the state licensing department.
