Conroe Safe Harbor Doubles Child Trauma Capacity

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

CONROE, TX – Children’s Safe Harbor officially opened its new, state-of-the-art $10 million facility in Conroe on November 14, 2023, marking a monumental expansion designed to double its capacity for providing critical trauma services to children in Montgomery, Walker, and San Jacinto counties. Located at 15725 Old Conroe Rd., the sprawling 30,000-square-foot center is now equipped to serve up to 5,000 children annually, a significant increase from its previous capacity of approximately 2,500.

The newly constructed facility is a testament to a child-centered approach, offering a safe and comforting environment for young victims. It features 25 specialized therapy rooms, 10 forensic interview suites designed to be gentle and non-intimidating, an expanded medical suite for comprehensive examinations, a large conference center, and dedicated training spaces for professionals. A calming sensory room provides an additional haven for children aged 2 to 17 who have experienced abuse or neglect, supporting their healing journey.

CEO Emily Hunt highlighted the immense community support that made the ambitious project a reality. “This new facility represents a beacon of hope for thousands of children in our community,” Hunt stated at the grand opening. “Our ‘Help Them Heal’ capital campaign impressively raised $12 million, exceeding our $10 million goal, which speaks volumes about our community’s unwavering commitment to protecting and nurturing our most vulnerable.” The successful fundraising effort ensures not only the building’s completion but also provides a robust foundation for expanded services.

District Attorney Brett Ligon, a long-time partner of Children’s Safe Harbor, emphasized the critical value of the organization’s multidisciplinary approach in these sensitive cases. “Children’s Safe Harbor brings together law enforcement, child protective services, medical professionals, and victim advocates under one roof,” Ligon explained. “This collaborative model minimizes trauma for children by allowing them to tell their story once in a safe, child-friendly environment, which in turn facilitates more effective investigations and prosecutions.”

Sheriff Rand Henderson and Judge Claudia Laird also spoke at the event, underscoring the vital partnership required among local agencies to safeguard vulnerable children across the tri-county area. Their remarks highlighted how the new facility strengthens the collaborative network dedicated to child protection and justice.

Established in 1998, Children’s Safe Harbor operates as a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), a nationally recognized model designed to reduce the trauma experienced by child victims of abuse. Instead of navigating multiple agencies and retelling their painful stories repeatedly, children receive a comprehensive suite of services – including forensic interviews, counseling, victim advocacy, medical exams, crisis intervention, and prevention education – all under one welcoming roof. This integrated approach not only aids in the healing process but also strengthens legal proceedings against perpetrators.

The expansion comes at a crucial time for Montgomery, Walker, and San Jacinto counties, which have experienced significant population growth in recent years. With increased populations often comes a rise in reported cases of child abuse and neglect, making the doubling of Children’s Safe Harbor’s capacity an urgent and necessary development. The ability to serve up to 5,000 children annually directly addresses a critical community need, ensuring more young victims receive timely and appropriate care.

Children’s Safe Harbor remains committed to guiding children through the healing process and supporting justice. The new facility truly underscores their unwavering dedication to expanding vital support for these young victims, offering them a crucial chance at recovery and a brighter future.

For more information about Children’s Safe Harbor, its services, or how to support its mission, please visit their website at childrenssafeharbor.org.