Central Texas Table of Grace

The children we will serve have been removed from their family homes through no fault of their own. Most have been the victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Others are the children of parents who, for a variety of reasons, cannot or will not care for them and keep them safe. There are not enough foster homes to accommodate our community’s need. The lack of shelter space creates many problems for kids. The shortage makes it nearly impossible to place siblings together. When a foster home is not able to accommodate multiple children, a child might be placed anywhere in the state, making it difficult for family members who care for them to be supportive. Being taken from one’s home is a critical moment in a troubled child’s life. We want to provide support for these children that are between the ages of 6 and 17. We are developing a comprehensive temporary shelter services program that is structured to meet the unique needs of each child and teen. Central Texas Table of Grace will provide round-the-clock care and meet the basic needs of housing, food and safety. We also provide transportation to counseling and other appointments while offering support services to help youth reunite with their families, when appropriate. Because many children age out of the foster care system, we will teach children independent living skills. We will provide healthy meals, a safe, loving environment, and other types of life skills training including training from the book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens". Our goals will be accomplished through the implementation of customized services that are organized around a well-developed prospectus. Throughout implementation of the proposed activities our organization will continue to address the needs of our target communities, to brighten lives, and to assist and support youth and their families.