The mission of the purple door is to empower the community and those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to transition to a safe and healthy environment.

Domestic Violence , Family Violence Shelters , Homeless & Housing , Hot Lines & Crisis Intervention , Housing Support , Mental Health , Suicide Prevention

Family violence program services are provided to adult and child victims of domestic violence within a twelve-county region of south texas including aransas, bee, brooks, duval, jim wells, kenedy, kleberg, live oak, mcmullen, nueces, refugio, and san patricio counties. In 2017, the women's shelter of south texas provided free, comprehensive, supportive services to 2164 clients. Of those served in 2017, 1996 were survivors of domestic violence, and 588 were survivors of sexual assault. Services were provided 24-hours per day, 365 days per year and included: safe shelter, case management, safety planning, individual and group counseling, crisis hotline, sexual assault services, youth-directed services, legal advocacy, and rural outreach services. Prevention and education services were also provided to address the often multi-generational cycle of violence with a goal of ending the violence before it ever begins. In 2017, the women's shelter of south texas marked 39 years of on-going service to the community. The organization is the only private, non-profit 501(c)(3) entity specifically designed to provide services to victims of domestic and sexual violence across a twelve-county south texas region, which includes aransas, bee, brooks, duval, jim wells, kenedy, kleberg, live oak, mcmullen, nueces, refugio, and san patricio counties. Services: the following core services provided through the agency's family violence program are essential to domestic violence victims and their families in order to facilitate the long-term changes necessary to achieve and maintain independent and violence-free lives. The agency's program is on-going, with shelter and crisis services available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Shelter/safe house: the shelter/safe house provides safe refuge for up to 65 victims fleeing abusive relationships. A toll-free, 24-hour crisis hotline is provided 365 days a year. Security and limited access to the shelter facility is supported through a monitoring system. Food, clothing, and personal items are provided for clients receiving residential services at the shelter facility, and transportation for medical emergencies and to access community resources is provided. Transportation to the shelter for victims fleeing abuse is provided for persons from all counties served. Additionally, the agency provides comprehensive supportive services to all identified adult and child victims who are residing in the community through services offered in the shelter facility, through four rural outreach offices, and through additional sites that are safe and convenient for clients across the agency's service area. The physical location of the shelter facility in nueces county is considered confidential due to the safety and security considerations of the clients served by the agency. Case management services: upon entry into the shelter, each client is provided safety planning, information, and assistance by a case manager who provides support and monitors progress towards goals throughout the stay at the shelter. Each client and family has an individualized service plan developed to address specific needs and identify options. Staff assists each client with resource referrals, employment assistance, life skills, housing, childcare, and food pantry. Advocacy and encouragement are provided in a safe, supportive environment that increases clients' sense of safety and decreases feelings of isolation. Counseling services: clients residing at the shelter and in the community are offered educational and supportive counseling services provided to individuals and in a group setting. Primary issues addressed through counseling include safety planning, building self-esteem, the dynamics of family violence and sexual assault, profiles of batterers, the cycle of violence, and healthy relationships. Counseling is available six days per week at times convenient to clients, including after-school and saturday appointments for children, wi