A temporary home for children in foster care or for those experiencing housing instability. Many youths find themselves staying on friends' couches, sleeping at parks, or living out of cars. Our shelter offers a safe place with access to resources to help youth reach their housing goals.

• Safety. Staff meet the immediate needs of each new arrival. Hygiene supplies, clothing, food, medicine, and school supplies help children feel settled and safe.
• Support. Through trauma-informed care and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) staff and counselors help youth heal from trauma and plan for their futures.
• Normalcy. Opportunities to engage in activities typical for youth. Examples include school extracurricular options, summer activities, and shopping opportunities.

Admission

• Youth in Foster Care. Emergency Shelter placement must be requested by the youth's DFPS caseworker or Child Placing Unit. Authorized personnel can send the State of Texas Common Application to the agency intake email.
• Unaccompanied Youth. If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, complete this form to request temporary shelter placement. 

• 24-hour emergency shelter for all victims
• Residents can receive all services offered
• Residents work toward self-sufficiency away from violence or homelessness

Men and Women of all ages.

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

First Footing program offers people experiencing homelessness a safe place to stay. Individuals undergo an interview process and if accepted, have 24 hour staff support. 

The program model is built to come alongside adults on their journey out of homelessness and into a safe, stable home with mental and physical health care, employability skills training, budgeting education, and housing navigation. 

First Footing program offers: 

• ID recovery
• Addition recovery
• Employment assistance 
• Transportation
• Case management 

First Footing serves primarily longtime residents of New Braunfels however, each individual is taken case by case.

Free of charge.

The role of the HomeTeam is to identify and track encampments and reach out to unhoused individuals ofering medical care, shelter and pathways to employment and housing. 

Free.

Homelessness is a community problem that will not go away without active, collaborative intervention. Understanding the root causes of homelessness and what we can do to improve the health of our community is part of the solution.

Please contact us at [email protected] or 830.272-5020.

A safe place to stay for women, children, and men.

Even if you have a safe place to stay, you can still receive free services through the nonresidential program.

Services are provided at the Shelter, or an advocate is available to meet with you in a safe location in Gonzales, Karnes, or Wilson counties and the Schertz/Cibolo area.

Eligibility Requirements: Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault in the last 30 days.

Free and Confidential services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault 1-800-834-2033.  Advocates are available 24/7 to offer services, information, and support.  Calls may be anonymous.

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free.

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Our Emergency Children's Shelter provides safety for children who are removed from their homes. Our shelter provides the foundation for healing from abuse and neglect.

We see children at the lowest point in their young lives.  They are removed from the only home they have known; they are confused, sad, angry, and unsure of where they are going. At Boysville’s Emergency Children’s Shelter, children are welcomed into a home-like setting with a large common room and dining room, semi-private bedrooms, and bath and recreational areas.  

Most children arrive only with the clothing they are wearing. Upon arrival, each child receives new clothing and shoes. The emergency children’s shelter provides around-the-clock-awake staff for maximum safety and support. Children living in the shelter will attend a school in the Judson Independent School District unless otherwise directed by the court system. In some cases, children will remain at the school they attended before being placed at Boysville to reduce the number of school disruptions.

Boysville’s Emergency Shelter is known for accepting large sibling groups so they may stay together in times of stress.

Lovelace Emergency Cottage cares for infants and toddlers.

Ellison Emergency Cottage cares for children and teens, 5-17.

Click here for more information.

For placement into the shelter, the following is required:

• Birth certificate
• Social Security card
• Immunization record
• Withdrawal forms from school
• Documents pertaining to custody or guardianship

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direcct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – Within 30 minutes, a RMYA staff member or qualified Safe Place volunteer will arrive to talk with the youth and, if necessary, provide transportation to RMYA's Centro Seguro Drop-In Center.

Step Four – Once at Centro Seguro, counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff makes sure the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free.

Resilience hubs are safe, accessible, and equitable facilities where residents can obtain information and resources in times of need.

Resilience hubs serve communities every day, during an emergency, and after a disaster.

Hubs can have:

• Access to basic needs/supplies
• Heating or cooling centers
• Shelter from severe weather
• Access to power & device charging
• Community meeting location
• Free Wi-Fi
• Resource distribution during emergencies

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free.

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free.

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free.

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free.

Here’s how Safe Place works:

Step One – A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.

Step Two – The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency. For the greater San Antonio area that is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA).

Step Three – An RMYA staff member will talk with the youth to get more information and explain that an SAPD officer can escort them to the RMYA Bridge Emergency shelter.  If the child is agreeable, the RMYA staff will contact SAPD to transport the youth to the shelter. 

Step Four – Once at the Bridge, direct-care staff and counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff ensures the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.

This program is for youth under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety.

Free

• 24-hour Crisis Intervention
• Crisis Hotline: Please call (210) 733-8810 to speak with a Hotline specialist, 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year.
• Counseling
• Support Groups
• Legal Assistance
• Transitional Housing
• On-Site Primary Medical and Dental Care
• On-Site After School Program

Services are available in both English and Spanish.

Crisis Hotline: (210) 733-8810

Provides various services suited to meet each child's developmental and emotional needs at our residential and non-residential facilities.

Play therapy techniques are used in individual and group counseling that is offered to help children process and heal from domestic violence.

Ongoing family case management services with a focus on the spectrum of needs of every child client are provided while maintaining an emphasis on meeting the academic needs of children identified as victims/survivors of family violence. Services are provided to every child.

For more information, call administration at 210-930-3669.