Hope's Door

HOPE'S DOOR, located in Plano, Texas, is a not-for-profit community organization which was established in 1985 as the result of a local needs-assessment study commissioned by the Junior League of Plano, Inc. Before the shelter was established, Collin County was the only densely populated area without a full service shelter for victims of family violence.

While searching for a permanent facility to house the shelter, HOPE'S DOOR offered safe shelter to victims of abuse through the use of community hotels and a 24-hour crisis line.

The goal of a permanent facility was achieved when the shelter opened its doors in March 1989. During fiscal year 2006-2007, HOPE'S DOOR served individuals by providing emergency shelter to 233, responding to 1,322 crisis hotline calls, providing counseling services to 429 victims through the Outreach Program - 429, providing group counseling to 363 abusive individuals through theBattering Intervention and Prevention Program, and provided community education to 2,806.

The mission of HOPE'S DOOR is to offer intervention and prevention services to individuals and families impacted by domestic abuse and to provide educational programs that enhance the community's capacity to respond. HOPE'S DOOR is governed by a 28-member Board of Directors, and currently consists of an Executive Director, Director of Program Services, Shelter Manager/Counselor, Six Case Managers, Children's Program Coordinator, Outreach Program Director, Two Outreach Program Counselors, Community Education Director, Development Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Batterers' Program Director, Four Batterers' Program Counselors, Batterers' Program Intake Specialist, Office Manager, Accountant and Administrative Assistant.

Family violence is a national problem. FBI statistics estimate one out of every two women will be abused at some time in their lives by their partners. In an effort to provide support to victims of family violence, HOPE'S DOOR offers safe shelter and counseling for 30 days, and provides crisis counseling through the use of a 24-hour crisis line. A support program, consisting of individual and group counseling, is available to former clients through the Branch Program. To provide support to women in the community who are in abusive relationships and who do not need residential services, the Bridge Program offers group counseling and education regarding the dynamics of family violence. Children who come to the shelter with their mothers also are provided counseling services. A Batterers' Program is now available to provide counseling for abusive partners.

HOPE'S DOOR is an invested organization in the family violence movement and joins 58 Texas family violence providers and organizations to abate family violence from our society.