For seven years, the East Texas Dream Center has worked to provide a safe space and resources and to teach life skills to women —primarily those who have been victims of sex crimes, abuse, homelessness or who have experienced other traumatic issues.
Founders Shawn and Shannon Nelson opened the nonprofit about seven years ago at the former Montgomery County Hospital building, which was built in 1938, according to the Montgomery County Historical Commission. The hospital closed after the creation of the Montgomery County Hospital District in the 1970s, and sat idle for some time.
Now, the East Texas Dream Center uses the first floor of the facility to offer a one-year program for women, and it provides housing and support services for children as well, spokesperson Geoffrey Wood said.
“This started as a transitional place for homeless women,” Wood said. “It then evolved to being more focused on women to do a 12-month program. Then we hope they become community leaders in this area.”
The facility offers 120 beds and serves 16 women and 32 children in its discipleship program. Since opening, the organization has served about 3,000 women and 8,000 children. The nonprofit also housed 556 people and provided supplies for 22,502 people during Hurricane Harvey last year.
To meet demand, the organization partners with local churches, other nonprofits and private entities to provide various services necessary to help residents, Wood said. Services include counseling, operating a food pantry, life skills training, parenting classes, transitional skills and life management support.
In the future, Wood said the organization hopes to expand to the second and third floor of the facility, with a vision of converting the first floor into a hub of offices and services operated by different organizations.
“We see this anti-trafficking movement right now that is huge,” he said. “The statistics are ugly and dark because women are being sold in the Houston area. Well, those women and children are coming to this area. For 12 months they live here; they are in a safe, secluded environment.”
East Texas Dream Center
301 S. First St., Conroe
281-601-6800
www.easttexasdreamcenter.org
