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 our residential Children’s Shelter, licensed by DFPS, for children 2-17 by providing a structured and nurturing environment to children in need.
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
We are unable to display pictures of the children in our care on our website, but we can share their stories to highlight how their childhoods have been disrupted by abuse and neglect. During their time with us, we provide these children with love and support, allowing them to heal and grow. We ensure they receive more than just their basic needs, showing them that there are adults who will keep their promise to care for them.
Children are placed in our Children’s Shelter for varying lengths of time, ranging from 30 days to 18 months. For some, it becomes their home until more stable arrangements can be made. Our Children’s Shelter offers a safe and stable environment for children under the age of 17 who cannot remain in their homes. Over 75% of child abuse victims are harmed by their parents or other family members, the very individuals tasked with safeguarding them. We believe that every child 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 that our shelter has a 100% safety rating. Variances are requested and most often granted by the state licensing department. Placement for our Children's Shelter comes from agencies, such as CPS.
