By Rowe Ray
It hasn’t been easy, and most of the people involved will tell you there is plenty yet to do, but the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has done itself proud with its new residential facility.
Little did center officials, volunteers and supporters know when they began their fundraising drive for the new structure that they would have to navigate not only the normal financial challenges but also the additional challenges created by a struggling national economy.
Lots of hard work, dedication, generous gifts and a shared can-do attitude have allowed the center to construct a residential facility second to none in Central Texas.
Center Executive Director Marla Johnson often says that despite the satisfaction she, the staff and the volunteers get from helping victims of domestic
violence find new hope and build new lives, they look toward to a future in which their services are no longer needed.
Sadly, that day seems far away ... sometimes so far away it is even difficult to imagine.
Until that dream becomes a reality, this community can thank its lucky stars for the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center and for those special souls who reach out every single day – and
night – to offer a hand of friendship to those who have all too often been touched by the hand of abuse. RHR
