Who We Are
The number of children and youth who suffer from abuse, neglect, and trauma is growing across the United States, Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley. During their CASA training the Founders Gracie Bradwell and Kristen Millon, were inspired and aware of the overwhelming need for a Rio Grande Valley Emergency Children's Shelter.
After much consideration and with the help of family, friends, and volunteers Valley Haven began its journey to open a 32 bed facility for children that have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, and abandonment by Child Protective Services.
Valley Haven is a Non-Profit Emergency Children's Shelter for the children of the Rio Grande Valley that have been removed from their home by Child Protective Services. Valley Haven will be the ONLY emergency children's shelter in the valley. Opening our doors is crucial and the children of our community need our help.
Valley Haven's goal is to stop the cycle of abuse so abused children can heal and not pass on to their children the abuse they received from their parents. It is also to keep siblings together and keep the children in the valley. We want to prevent any additional trauma that could occur during their transitional period. Our mission is to protect, guide, and nurture abused and neglected children by providing them a safe and loving home!
What We Do
Valley Haven will be a Safe Haven Providing a safe nurturing home and specialized services to children who have been abandoned, abused, and neglected. When children are removed from their home they lose everything they ever knew. We will be part of a local solution to bring sustained care, hope, and healing to children, youth and their families.
Valley Haven's programming and specialized services are based on strategies and intervention (TBRI) developed by the Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University using current neuroscience and research on trauma and brain development. By showing and teaching appropriate ways to trust and love each other, the children at Valley Haven will feel safe, begin to heal, and look at their future in a positive way. Our children deserve the chance to grow into loving, caring, and happy adults.
Valley Haven hosts a number of fundraisers and events. We are looking for our community to help support Valley Haven and its children. You can help by spreading the word, volunteering, mentoring, sponsoring, and donating. It will take a community to come together and repair the trauma these children have experienced, will you be part of that community?
