SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 630

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Austin Children's Shelter on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, which is being celebrated May 16, 2009; and

WHEREAS, The Austin Children's Shelter had its beginnings in 1984, when concerned citizens joined together with the intent of creating a shelter for the abused and neglected children of Austin and Travis County; the result was the birth of the Austin-Travis County Shelter for Infants and Children; and

WHEREAS, The shelter employed houseparents and provided a safe haven for six children at a time; by 1989 the shelter had employees working around-the-clock shifts and caring for up to 15 children and had changed its name to the Children's Shelter and Assessment Center of Texas; in 1998, the center opened an additional home, Shelter Home II, so it could offer care for 30 children at a time, and the agency's name was changed to Austin Children's Shelter; and

WHEREAS, The shelter began to grow rapidly when Gena VanOsselaer joined as executive director in 2001; new programs included an in-house preschool program, an in-house medical program, and the Austin Children's Shelter Guild volunteer program; with support from donors, the shelter broke ground on a new campus in February of 2008, and the new facility will enable the shelter to care for 78 children at a time and will include five shelter cottages and an on-site charter school for children who need to stay at the shelter for long periods; and

WHEREAS, The Austin Children's Shelter is a high-quality shelter designed to decrease the emotional trauma suffered by neglected and abused children; it offers critical services and programs and provides group and individual therapy and educational support; its new facility, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009, will continue to be a beacon of hope and a safe haven for children in crisis; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby commend the Austin Children's Shelter for providing emergency shelter and high-quality care for the children of the Austin community and extend congratulations to all associated with the shelter on its 25 years of outstanding service; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of the Austin Children's Shelter. Watson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 15, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate