TEXOMA FAMILY SHELTER
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Mission Statement
Texoma Family Shelter helps homeless families and individuals achieve self-sufficiency by guiding them toward productive skills and attitudes, and by providing lodging and sustenance in a safe and supportive environment.
About This Cause
In 1985, the Grayson County Ministerial Alliance recognized the need for a homeless shelter. In partnership with stakeholders including community, civic, and church leaders, the Grayson County Shelter was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The shelter opened in 1987 and in 2020 the name was changed to more accurately reflect our service region. Texoma Family Shelter (TFS), its board, staff and volunteers continue the original mission to provide safe shelter, sustenance, and case management for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to transition people into independent, secure, self-sufficient living. Since 2010, TFS has sheltered more than 22,000 people. In an effort to prevent homelessness, TFS also assists non- resident community members, by providing food boxes, coats, toiletries, and referrals. Most recently, with the help of The Smith Foundation, TFS has opened a training center to offer classes and resources to our residents and the community at large. For 38 years, residential services have been TFS’s primary mission. Before admittance, residents must pass a background and drug test for the safety of the children. All residents are given essential provisions: food, bedding, shower/laundry facilities and supplies, toiletries, and clothing, at no cost. Initial admittance is 21 days during which time residents are expected to seek employment and/or education and register with appropriate assistance agencies. We require all residents to get up daily, dress, do chores, clean their personal belongings, help with food boxes for the public, and attend weekly case management sessions with our Case Manager. Each resident’s individualized plan includes referrals and goals to assist them in achieving independent living. TFS provides help obtaining identification, navigating government assistance, referrals to permanent housing, as well as medical, mental health, and substance abuse assistance. For children, we ensure all schooling needs are met, including screenings for disabilities, and our case manager interacts closely with school counselors to ensure continuity of care. If residents do not actively pursue employment or education, they are not allowed to stay beyond 21 days, However, if they obtain employment, save money, work towards education or demonstrate other life- improving behaviors, we encourage them to stay longer as they continue progressing towards self-sufficiency. Residents also receive guidance in job searches, resume writing, and interview skills to enhance their employment prospects. When the Smith Training Center is fully functional with technology equipment, this will enhance our ability to offer life skills training on topics such as financial literacy, healthy meal preparation, and parenting skills. Additional partnerships including the United Way of Grayson County, the cities of Sherman and Denison, the Grayson Crisis Center, Family Promise, Salvation Army, Austin College, TCC, local churches will also be able to use the Smith training center as an outreach center.