Know Your Options. Help, Explained Simply.
If you're trying to figure out what to do next, this page is for you. Whether you need shelter tonight, want to understand what reaching out looks like, or just need a safe place to start — everything here is laid out plainly, without pressure.
⚠️
Your safety online matters. If someone may be monitoring your device or browsing history, close this page quickly using the red
Quick Exit button at the top of the screen. It will take you to a neutral site immediately. For the most private search, use a browser's private or incognito mode, or a device the abuser does not have access to.
How to Make a Domestic Violence Safety Plan
Abuse Without Bruises: Signs You Should Not Ignore
Warning Signs of Domestic Abuse in East Texas
If You're in Danger Right Now
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Our 24/7 crisis line is answered by a trained advocate, day or night:
(844) 525-0160
You don't have to have a plan. You don't have to have made a decision. You can call just to talk through your options — confidentially, without judgment, and without any obligation to enter shelter.
National and Texas Crisis Lines
If you are not ready to contact us directly, these resources are available around the clock:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224) — confidential support, safety planning, and shelter referrals nationwide
- Texas Abuse Hotline (DFPS): 1-800-252-5400 — reports involving children or vulnerable adults
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 — free, confidential crisis support by text, 24/7
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 — confidential support for sexual violence survivors
What Celebrate Forever Families Offers Survivors
We serve survivors across Kaufman, Henderson, and Van Zandt counties through three program tracks. You do not have to be in a crisis to reach out — and you do not have to enter shelter to receive help.
Emergency Shelter
Individual counseling and trauma-informed therapy to help survivors process their experiences, rebuild confidence, and develop a foundation for healing.
Residential Program
For survivors who need longer-term, stable housing and a structured path toward independence, our residential program provides extended support beyond emergency shelter. This program serves survivors from across Texas and, in some cases, from other states — for those who need distance and a fresh start.
Outreach and Non-Residential Support
You don't have to enter shelter to receive help. Our outreach program connects survivors with counseling, legal advocacy, case management, and other supportive services — without requiring you to leave your home or your community.
What Happens When You Reach Out
Many survivors hesitate because they don't know what to expect. Here's what the process actually looks like.
Step 1:
You Contact Us
Call our 24/7 crisis line at (844) 525-0160 or complete a confidential intake form online. Both paths connect you with a trained advocate. There is no pressure, no commitment, and nothing you say will be used against you.
Step 2:
You Talk With an Advocate
A crisis advocate listens to your situation, answers your questions, and helps you understand your options — whether that's emergency shelter, outreach services, legal advocacy, or something else entirely. You stay in control of what happens next.
Step 3:
A Plan Takes Shape
If shelter or services are the right fit, your advocate connects you with a case manager who will help build a safety plan tailored to your situation. From there, you access the services you need — at a pace that works for you.
Supportive Services Available to Survivors
Once connected with our programs, survivors have access to a full range of services — many of which are available to non-residential clients as well:
- Safety planning and protective order assistance
- Individual counseling and abuse recovery groups
- Children's services and play therapy
- Case management and crisis intervention
- Job readiness and financial empowerment
- Parenting skills, life skills, and continuing education or GED assistance
- Mental health support and substance abuse recovery
- Ministry support and transportation assistance
Is This a Domestic Violence Shelter or a Homeless Shelter?
Celebrate Forever Families is a domestic violence shelter. Our programs are specifically designed for survivors of intimate partner violence, family violence, and abuse — not for individuals or families experiencing homelessness for other reasons.
We understand that housing insecurity and domestic violence often overlap. If you or someone you know needs emergency housing resources unrelated to domestic violence, the organizations below may be able to help:
- Texas Homeless Network: statewide resource directory for housing and shelter
- 211 Texas: call or text 211 for local social services, including housing, food, and utility assistance
- HUD Exchange — Find Shelter: national tool for locating emergency shelter by location
We make this distinction not to turn anyone away, but to direct every person to the help that will serve them best. If you're unsure whether our programs are the right fit, call us at (844) 525-0160 and an advocate will help you figure it out.
Local and Regional Partner Organizations
Celebrate Forever Families works alongside a network of agencies serving the tri-county area. If you need services we don't provide directly, these partners may be able to help:
- Kaufman County District Attorney's Office — victim assistance and protective order support
- Henderson County District Attorney's Office — victim services and legal referrals
- Van Zandt County resources — contact us at (844) 525-0160 and we will connect you with local options
- North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) — mental health and substance use services across the region
- Texas Legal Services Center — free civil legal aid for low-income Texans, including survivors
-
Do I have to be ready to leave my partner to call the crisis line?
No. Many people call just to understand their options before they make any decision. A crisis advocate will answer your questions and help you think through your situation — without any pressure to act before you're ready.
-
Is everything I share with an advocate confidential?
Yes. Your conversation with a crisis advocate is confidential. There are narrow legal exceptions — for example, if a child is in immediate danger — but your advocate will explain those clearly. Your privacy is a priority at every step.
-
What if I need help but I'm not in Kaufman County?
We serve survivors across Kaufman, Henderson, and Van Zandt counties through our emergency shelter and outreach programs. Our residential program serves survivors from across Texas and beyond. If you're outside our service area, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 can connect you with local resources.
-
Can my children come with me to shelter?
Yes. Our emergency shelter welcomes women and their children. Children also have access to dedicated children's services and play therapy while in our programs.
-
What if I don't have transportation to reach the shelter?
Transportation assistance is available. When you call our crisis line, let the advocate know your situation and we will work with you to find a safe way to get here.
-
How do I know if I qualify for the residential program?
The residential program is for survivors who need longer-term housing and support beyond the emergency shelter period. It serves survivors from across Texas. Call our crisis line at (844) 525-0160 and an advocate will help you understand whether it's the right fit for your situation.