Henderson County Has a Domestic Violence Shelter — Closer Than You Think
If you're in Athens, Gun Barrel City, Mabank, or anywhere along Cedar Creek Lake, help is not as far as it feels. Celebrate Forever Families operates the only emergency domestic violence shelter serving Kaufman, Henderson, and Van Zandt counties — and we are reachable right now, any hour of the day or night. Call (844) 525-0160.
Programs
You Deserve Safety, Not a Long Drive to Find It
Henderson County is a large, rural county, and for survivors in Athens or the Cedar Creek Lake communities, the nearest city shelter can feel impossibly far. Celebrate Forever Families exists to close that gap. We serve Henderson County directly — accepting survivors by phone intake with a live crisis advocate — so the process of reaching safety starts with a call, not a commute.
We are a domestic violence shelter, not a homeless shelter. Every person who contacts us is a survivor of family violence or intimate partner abuse, and every service we offer is built around that reality. If you are in danger right now, call 911. When you are ready to talk with someone, our crisis line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (844) 525-0160.
What Henderson County Survivors Can Access
- Emergency shelter for up to 45 days — for survivors and their children
- Long-term residential housing for survivors who need stable, supported recovery
- Outreach services for survivors who are not entering shelter but need counseling, case management, or legal advocacy
- Safety planning with a trained crisis advocate before you leave home
- Protective order assistance connected to the Henderson County court system and District Attorney's office
- Children's services and play therapy so your kids receive care alongside you
- Transportation assistance to help you reach services
Your Privacy Is Protected From the First Step
Living in a smaller community like Athens or the lake area means everyone knows everyone — and that fear of being recognized is real. We take confidentiality seriously at every stage. We do not publish our shelter address. Intake is handled by phone or through a private, mobile-friendly form. This website includes a quick-exit button so you can leave the page instantly if needed.
Nothing about reaching out to us will appear on a shared phone bill if you call our crisis line directly. If you are concerned about digital safety, you can also reach us through our outreach intake form from a private device or a library computer. Your first step toward safety is private.
One Organization, Two Shelter Options, Every Support Service
Celebrate Forever Families is the only organization in this region that offers both an emergency shelter and a long-term residential program under one roof. That matters for Henderson County survivors because it means you are not handed off between agencies when your emergency stay ends — you can move into a stable recovery environment with the same team who already knows your story.
Woven through both programs are the services survivors need most: counseling, abuse recovery groups, job readiness and financial empowerment, parenting and life skills, GED and continuing education support, mental health services, ministry support, and more. We are a recipient of the Texas Governor's Victims Assistance Grant and the Kaufman County Commissioner's Victims Assistance Grant — recognitions that reflect the standard of care we hold ourselves to. Our Senior Case Manager has been named Advocate of the Year by the Kaufman County District Attorney's Office.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Is there a domestic violence shelter that serves Athens, TX?
Yes. Celebrate Forever Families serves Henderson County, including Athens and the surrounding communities. We are reachable 24 hours a day at (844) 525-0160, and our crisis advocates can begin your intake by phone so you do not have to travel before you know what to expect.Do I have to leave Henderson County to get help with domestic violence?
No. Celebrate Forever Families serves Henderson County survivors directly. You can access emergency shelter, long-term residential housing, and non-residential outreach services — including counseling, safety planning, and legal advocacy — without relocating far from home or navigating an unfamiliar city.Will anyone in my community find out I called?
Confidentiality is a core part of how we operate. We do not share your information, we do not publish our shelter address, and our crisis line calls do not appear on shared phone records. You can also reach us through a private intake form if calling feels risky right now.Can I bring my children to the shelter?
Yes. We welcome survivors and their children. Children receive their own dedicated services, including play therapy, so that your kids have support alongside you from the moment you arrive.What if I'm not ready to enter shelter but still need help?
Our outreach program is built for exactly that situation. You can receive counseling, case management, safety planning, and legal advocacy without entering shelter. Reach out through our crisis line or outreach intake and we will connect you with the right level of support for where you are right now.