GVFVS History
Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation established on September 1, 1983 to provide an array of services for victims of family violence and sexual assault in Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes and Wilson counties. The major source of income is funding by the Texas Department of Human Services (HHSC). Funding the first year of operation was $39,000.00. The staff for several years consisted of a director, a house manager and a host of community volunteers. A leased two bedroom frame house provided shelter and services for 629 victims in 1984. In 1985 a former nursing home was purchased to serve as a permanent shelter. The following year, through the generosity of the community, the debt on the shelter and property was retired. Funding through the Department of Human Services has increased through the years along with grants and local funding. The program is administered by a board of 11 members.

Nine full time staff members are employed which consists of an Executive Director, Legal Advocate, Social Worker, Assistant Director, Caseworker, Volunteer Coordinator / Grant Administrator, Children Advocate / Social Worker, and Cranny Manager. We also have four part-time support staff members which cover weekday evenings and weekends.

The GVFVS, Inc. is in it's 19th year of serving victims of family violence. Since its inception, the shelter has centered its focus upon provision of respite for battered women and their children. With year ending August 31, 2002 ( the end of our fiscal year), there have been over 1100 hotline calls handled in the last year. Shelter staff provide service 24 hours per day 356 day per week, We are funded to provide services to residents of Guadalupe, Gonzales, Karnes and Wilson counties and if a victims meets our criteria and shows a need to relocate to our area, we will help anybody from any area. Volunteer assistance is critical to the program survival and volunteers are the backbone of this shelter.

The shelter operates a thrift store; "The Cranny". It is located at 113 North River Street in downtown Seguin. The Cranny is operated by a managers,3 staff members and many volunteers. All merchandise sold at The Cranny consists of donations made by the community. The Cranny provides clothing, furniture and other household items for shelter clients (victims) after leaving the shelter for separate housing on their own. 100% of all profits from The Cranny go to the shelter for direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.