Children’s Safe Harbor Doubles Child Trauma Services

**Children’s Safe Harbor Unveils $10 Million Conroe Facility, Doubling Child Trauma Services for Region**

**Conroe, TX –** Children’s Safe Harbor officially opened its brand-new, state-of-the-art $10 million facility on March 14, 2024, in Conroe, marking a significant expansion set to double the trauma services available for child victims of abuse, neglect, and trafficking across Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Liberty counties. The grand opening ceremony for the massive 43,000-square-foot center, located at 1590 Conroe Park North Drive, represents a crucial upgrade from their previous 15,000-square-foot space, dramatically increasing their capacity to support vulnerable children.

This strategic expansion is a game-changer for the non-profit organization, which now anticipates reaching up to 4,000 child victims annually, a substantial increase from the approximately 2,000 children they were able to assist each year previously. Since its inception in 1998, Children’s Safe Harbor has been a beacon of hope, providing critical support to over 28,000 children through comprehensive services designed to mitigate the trauma of abuse.

Executive Director Emily Hunt emphasized the urgent need for the new facility. “The state-of-the-art facility was a necessity, driven by an increasing demand for our services,” Hunt stated. “This new center allows us to not only meet that growing demand but to offer an even more comprehensive and healing environment for children during their most vulnerable moments. Every child deserves a safe place to begin their journey toward healing, and this facility provides just that.”

The facility’s design, handled by Perkins & Will, with Tellepsen serving as the builder, was meticulously crafted to ensure a child-friendly environment. Every detail, from calming color palettes and comfortable furnishings to specialized interview rooms and therapy spaces, aims to minimize additional trauma and provide a sense of safety and comfort for children navigating difficult circumstances.

Under one roof, Children’s Safe Harbor offers a multidisciplinary team approach, bringing together local law enforcement, Child Protective Services (CPS), and prosecutors alongside their own team of advocates and clinicians. Services include forensic interviews, mental health therapy, medical evaluations, court advocacy, and specialized victim services, ensuring that children receive holistic care without having to recount their traumatic experiences multiple times to different agencies, thereby preventing re-traumatization.

The significant funding for the $10 million project was a testament to robust community support, primarily secured through generous private donations, supplemented by crucial state and federal grants, following a successful capital campaign. This broad base of financial backing underscores the community’s unwavering commitment to protecting its youngest and most vulnerable members.

Dr. Stephen Retzlaff, Chairman of the Board of Directors, underscored the facility’s profound impact. “This new center represents more than just a building; it is a profound investment in the future and well-being of our community’s children,” Dr. Retzlaff said. “It provides a safe haven where vulnerable children can begin their journey of healing, supported by a dedicated team of professionals committed to their recovery and justice. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity that made this vision a reality.”

For more information about Children’s Safe Harbor, its vital services, or how to support its mission, visit their official website at childrenssafeharbor.org or call 936-756-3472. The organization continues to rely on community generosity to sustain and expand its crucial work.