History

 The vision for The Grace Center began with a shared belief: every person impacted by domestic violence deserves a safe place to heal.

Several years ago, the Gillespie County Ministerial Alliance (GCMA) identified a critical need for a domestic violence shelter in Fredericksburg. Around the same time, the City of Fredericksburg/Gillespie County Visioning Committee also prioritized the establishment of such a facility.

In May 2016, GCMA received a generous $25,000 gift from First Christian Church and committed to using the funds to help make this vision a reality. A major turning point came in January 2020, when a private donor enabled The Grace Center to purchase 2.25 acres of land in Fredericksburg, dedicated to building a shelter for survivors.

The Grace Center was officially chartered by the State of Texas on September 11, 2018, and recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit in April 2019.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors and supporters, our capital campaign successfully raised the funds needed to build a brand-new, 36-bed shelter—a beacon of hope for those in need. We officially opened our doors in August 2023. Just one month later, 27 residents, two dogs, and a guinea pig had already found refuge within our walls.

Today, ongoing donations and community-driven fundraising events support the day-to-day operations of the shelter and ensure that our services remain free and accessible to all.

At The Grace Center, we exist to provide not just safety, but also healing, dignity, and the opportunity to start again. Whether you give, volunteer, or simply share our mission, thank you for helping us break the cycle of domestic violence.