Children's Shelters
Connections operates 2 emergency shelters for youth ages 10-17 who are in the midst of a crisis and need a safe place to stay. The shelters provide a safe place to stay for youth in crisis. In addition to meals and short-term housing, shelters offer: individual, group, and family counseling; recreational activities; and linkages to educational and medical services.
The agency's 2 shelters are located at: 1414 W San Antonio St., New Braunfels 209 Lang Rd., Portland, TX Contact: Courtney Laverty [email protected] (830) 629-6571 |
New Braunfels, TX location |
Portland, TX location |
New Life caters to young women ages 11-17 who have experienced severe abuse or neglect, helping them grow and heal through in-depth clinical therapy, personal development activities, and spiritual care in a safe setting. Girls stay an average of 6-8 months and begin to feel a restored sense of hope in their futures.
Contact: Jacob Huereca 650 Scarbourough Rd. [email protected] Canyon Lake, TX (830) 964-4390 |
St. Jude's Ranch for Children (SJRC) - Texas cares for children and families who have been affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect. The programs of SJRC - Texas cover a continuum of care to ensure that children placed in our care receive therapeutic treatment along their journey of healing towards a brighter future. Our programs provide the following services: emergency placement, therapeutic residential foster care, pregnant and parenting teen services, community-based foster care services, and adoption services.
Contact: Christina Melendrez 652 Old Bear Creek Rd. [email protected] New Braunfels, TX (830) 629-0659 |
Home Repairs
Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) can also help with specific home repairs and installations that community members may need at a reduced or free cost. These include: grab bars, A/C units, heaters, and some ramps, in addition to other special circumstances appliances. AACOG also provides a Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), designed to help low-income people, particularly the elderly and handicapped, overcome the high cost of energy through the installation of energy conservation measures at no cost to the applicant. This program can lower the amount of energy used in a home, thus helping the applicants save more money. To qualify, the total household income must meet federal income eligibility requirements. Contact us if you'd like to receive an application or have any questions.
Contact: Trina Salazar 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 160 [email protected] San Antonio, TX (210) 362-5244 |
Sponsored by Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, the Hearts and Hammers teams are made up of friendly volunteer church members who help with various household projects at minimal cost. Work jobs include light plumbing, electrical work, ramp construction and repair, yard work and clean up, as well as other small miscellaneous projects. Most jobs do not take longer than a day or two. If you would like your household repair needs looked at, please contact us and fill out a request form to be contacted soon.
Contact: Betty Smith 206 Flintstone Dr. [email protected] Canyon Lake, TX (830) 894-3916 |
Housing Financial Assistance
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, sponsored by AACOG, is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families in affording decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit. Assistance can be limited, but contact us if you're interested. In addition, AACOG offers limited financial assistance to help with housing in certain circumstances, so call us if you have questions about qualifications.
Contact: Trina Salazar 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 160 [email protected] San Antonio, TX (210) 362-5244 |
Cranes Mill Baptist Church can provide limited financial help with rent and mortgages as seen fit at the discretion of the church staff. Contact us for more questions.
Contact: Jerry Becknal 10215 FM 2673 [email protected] Canyon Lake, TX (830) 899-7936 |
North Shore United Methodist Church (NSUMC) can provide financial assistance to community members struggling with housing, including help with rent and mortgages as well as referrals to other resources.
Contact: Myra Zumwalt 23880 N. Cranes Mill Rd. [email protected] Canyon Lake, TX (830) 935-2171 |
Transitional Housing
Connections also runs the Chrysalis Transitional Living Program, a residential program assisting youth ages 16-21 to transition to productive independent living as adults. After meeting specific qualifications, applicants between ages 15-21 must independently request, complete, and return an application. After reviewing the application, the Program Coordinator will set up an in-person or telephone interview. If this program is appropriate, the applicant will be admitted into the assessment phase of the program; if not, referral information will be provided. For more information, please call (830) 620-0214.
Contact: Courtney Laverty 1414 W. San Antonio St. [email protected] New Braunfels, TX (830) 629-6571 |
Family Promise partners with 13 local churches across the county to help provide a home for homeless families, creating a way for communities to address the challenge of family homelessness by using existing resources. Congregations provide space in their buildings to serve as temporary homes, and day centers allow families to take showers, receive case managements, and look for housing and jobs. There are multiple transportation options, and with volunteers giving their time, family homelessness is address without the creation of expensive shelters. On average, 74% of the families we serve will gain long-term housing while in the program, in 9 weeks.
Contact: Stacey Minor PO Box 311866 [email protected] New Braunfels, TX 78131 (830) 214-0024 |