A Foundation of Hope

Holly Cunningham-Kizer | HCWC Director of Community Partnerships

The following article is the finale of a five-week series focusing on raising awareness about domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and we hope to educate our community on this very important issue. 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Locally, the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has been serving victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse since 1978. Last year, HCWC served 2,055 victims of abuse (face-to-face) primarily from Hays and Caldwell Counties. 866 of those were victims of domestic violence.

On March 27, 1978, a group of about 40 women met in San Marcos to discuss how they could create some type of community program to benefit women in a personal and professional manner. That initial group quickly became aware of a need to assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The result of that meeting is the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC).

Almost immediately HCWC recognized that the lack of safe, affordable housing and childcare represented the greatest barriers for victims of abuse and their children to achieve safety and success away from their abuser. Staff and volunteers realized that while a domestic violence shelter answered an immediate need, it did not address the long-term problems that victims face.

Over 25 years ago, HCWC began exploring options for transitional housing with the City of San Marcos and Hays County. The Morning Star Project was the first attempt to provide a housing option for victims of abuse in San Marcos. At that time the project just wasn’t feasible.

Population growth along the 1-35 corridor has exploded with San Marcos growing by 44% over the last 10 years that combined with the pre-existing affordable housing shortage has created an even more difficult situation for victims of abuse. HCWC recognized the need, recruited valuable partners, and now the dream of safe, affordable, and supportive housing for victims of abuse is almost a reality.

The new project is named after HCWC’s recently retired Executive Director. Marla’s Place – The Marla Johnson Family Housing Center, is a 22,000 square foot, 18-unit complex, being built on land donated by the City of San Marcos. Construction began in April of 2020 and is expected to be completed in early January 2022.  Within the next year, families will fill the apartments and enjoy the opportunity for a fresh start.

Prior to the beginning of the pandemic, and with the completion of Marla’s Place still months away, HCWC applied for and received special funding to provide rental assistance, help cover vehicle expense and assist with childcare costs. While not sustainable long-term, this program provided a glimpse of the impact that Marla’s Place and the services that will accompany it will have on victims of abuse in our community.

The short-term funding had long-term impacts and reinforced the idea that Marla’s Place will change the lives of the residents that live there. It will enable to them to identify and pursue their goals whether they be job-training, further education, better money management in addition to having access to HCWC’s counseling and advocacy services for themselves and their children.

HCWC staff will work with residents helping them to develop their own goals for education, employment, housing, custody issues, personal growth and more. Marla’s Place is intended to empower survivors and give them the skills and self-esteem they need to break the cycle of poverty and abuse. As always, HCWC will partner with other local non-profits to ensure that residents’ needs are met. While Marla’s Place is still several months from opening, HCWC always works to provide a safe place at the McCoy Family Shelter and our advocates work tirelessly to assist clients with their housing needs.

HCWC continues to seek community partners to bring this crucial, life changing project to survivors from Hays and Caldwell Counties. Please contact Holly Cunningham-Kizer (holly@hcwc.org) for additional information or for ways that you or your group or organization can help. Further details regarding Marla’s Place can be found at www.hcwc.org/housing.

We also invite the public to participate in our upcoming Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at 6pm. The meeting will be virtual and will feature a guest speaker, Jennifer Epperson, sharing a message of healing and resiliency for survivors of abuse. For information on the Annual Meeting please contact Holly Cunningham-Kizer, HCWC Director of Community Partnerships.