Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, Inc.

THRIVING HEARTS CRISIS CENTER

FORMERLY GUADALUPE VALLEY FAMILY VIOLENCE SHELTER, INC.

 Serving Guadalupe, Gonzales, Karnes, and Wilson Counties since 1983

About Thriving Hearts Crisis Center

Thriving Hearts Crisis Center, THCC, (Formerly Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, Inc.) serves victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking in Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, and Wilson counties.


THCC serves approximately 500 survivors of abuse each year. While our foremost concern is ensuring physical safety, our goal is also to help survivors recover psychologically and emotionally as they build a life free from violence.

THCC strives to make recovery as safe and smooth as possible for survivors, while also educating the public on the dynamics and prevention of violence.

Girl Holding Her Mother's Hand — Seguin, TX — Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, Inc.


























THCC operates The Cranny thrift store at 1500 E Court St., where community-donated merchandise helps fund our operating expenses and provides a space for survivors, who often come to the shelter with just the clothes on their backs, to feel that the community cares for them. The Cranny also provides clothing, furniture, and household items to clients residing in the shelter and those transitioning to independent housing. In addition to paid staff, The Cranny benefits from volunteers and community service workers and continues to serve as true partnership of the community to benefit those survivors in need. 

HISTORY

Established 1983


In April of 1982, a group of dedicated citizens began meeting together to address the increase in occurrences of domestic violence in Guadalupe County.  Armed with a staggering number of domestic violence calls to law enforcement, and the support from local stakeholders such as Texas Lutheran University, local law enforcement agencies, and the Texas Council on Family Violence, this group was dedicated to bringing domestic violence services to the Guadalupe County community.   With the financial backing, donations and support of the community, an organization was created to address the growing needs of survivors of domestic violence in Guadalupe County. Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, INC was established on September 1, 1983, dedicated to providing comprehensive services for victims of domestic and sexual assault in Guadalupe County.  This service area would later grow to encompass Gonzales Karnes, and Wilson Counties. 

Starting from providing services from a leased two-bedroom house, by 1985, GVFVS purchased a former nursing home as a permanent facility and THCC remains in this location today. Over the years, the community has grown exponentially and along with that, so has the need for our services.  With the growing need for services for our clients and our growing staff to meet the demand for victims' services, we are looking to find our forever home soon to create a trauma informed haven for those seeking safety and a life free from violence.   

In 2024, our Board of Directors and Jennifer Fernandez, the outgoing Executive Director at that time, voted to re-brand GVFVS with a new name to encompass the passionate work of our dedicated staff and volunteers to ensure the people we serve to emerge from surviving, to thriving.  The name Thriving Hearts Crisis Center was a labor of love for this group to show any survivor is welcome here at THCC no matter where they come from.   

Today, as it was in our early years 41 years ago, volunteer support remains vital to our operations.  From volunteering with the clients, to helping with clerical work, or volunteering at one of our events, we are excited to have multiple opportunities for the community to partner with us to engage the community in changing the lives of people who have experienced the trauma of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. 


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