Jill Johnson, the current board president for the nonprofit organization, reflected on her own experience as a survivor. "I did not have the support of an organization like the Crisis Center and at the time, I couldn't have known how consequential the lack of support truly was. It wasn't until my daughter struggled with her own battle to survive and she reached out to the Crisis Center. They helped her with safety planning, counseling and legal aid, which helped her get a restraining order," Johnson said. "This is much more than a building. It's not just bricks. It's not just walls. This is safety. This is hope." (Amira Van Leeuwen/Community Impact)
What began as a volunteer-run hotline 40 years ago has grown into a comprehensive agency providing services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and unhoused individuals, said Janis Parsley, Crisis Center of Comal County's interim CEO.
Crisis Center of Comal County officials and community members celebrated the nonprofit's 40th anniversary and grand opening of its new three-story shelter June 25 four years after their Common Street shelter caught fire.
"Through every season of growth one thing has remained constant—our commitment to positively impacting the lives of those we've served," Parsley said during the June 25 ribbon-cutting. "Today we celebrate not only a new building, but a new chapter. This facility will allow us to serve more individuals and families, expand our programs and meet the growing needs of our growing community for years to come."
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The 30,000-square-foot development, named The Center, has a total of 26 living units. There are seven three-bedroom transitional living units on the third floor. There are also five three-bedroom units on the second floor and seven individual rooms. The first floor has six individual units, said Julie Strentzsch, former CEO of the nonprofit.
The center gives the Crisis Center of Comal County the ability to serve 90 clients, Chief Impact Officer Nicholle Kepczyk said. (Amira Van Leeuwen/Community Impact)
The center also has a shared laundry room, kitchen space. The nonprofit organization partnered with the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area to house other pets, including large birds and reptiles. All services provided at the shelter are free. Chief Impact Officer Nicholle Kepczyk said they do not want safety to be determined by a client’s ability to pay.
“If you show up today, and you have zero dollars and the clothes on your back and you are fleeing domestic violence, we’re going to open the door,” Kepczyk said.
What could have been the end of a chapter became the beginning of something stronger, District 73 state Rep. Carrie Isaac said during the ribbon-cutting.
"I know that strong families and safe homes are the foundation of a thriving community. No one should ever have to live in fear of their own home," Isaac said. "So let this new campus be more than a building. Let it be a beacon, a place where fear ends and hope begins. Where brokenness meets healing and where every person walks through through these doors know that they are seen, valued and not alone."
Jill Johnson, the current board president for the nonprofit organization, reflected on her own experience as a survivor.
"I did not have the support of an organization like the Crisis Center and at the time, I couldn't have known how consequential the lack of support truly was. It wasn't until my daughter struggled with her own battle to survive and she reached out to the Crisis Center. They helped her with safety planning, counseling and legal aid, which helped her get a restraining order," Johnson said. "This is much more than a building. It's not just bricks. It's not just walls. This is safety. This is hope."
