New women’s center breaks ground here

May 10, 2008 08:49 pm

— With gold shovels in hand, Hays-Caldwell Women's Center board members and major capital campaign contributors last week gathered in a confidential location to break ground on a new family violence shelter.
The $1.6 million shelter, expected to be completed by January, 2009, is designed to be a secure, safe haven for women, children and men who are survivors of family violence from Hays and Caldwell Counties.
For more than 30 years HCWC has provided shelter, counseling, legal advocacy and 24-hour emergency response to assist victims of abuse from Buda, Kyle, Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Lockhart, Luling, Martindale, San Marcos and the surrounding areas.
Marla Johnson has served as the HCWC executive director for the past 15 years.
“This expansion allows us to address the fast growing population needs in this expanding area of Texas,” she said. “The new shelter will replace the 23-year-old building with a facility that includes necessary state of the art security, as well as updated kitchens and baths."
“It is exciting for me to represent the city council and our citizens of San Marcos at this important event,” Mayor Susan Narvaiz said. “This new shelter will continue to provide vital emergency services to not only our city, but to all communities within Hays and Caldwell Counties.”