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History

The Bexar County Family Justice Center opened on August 1, 2005. This exciting and challenging journey began in January 2004 following the announcement of the President’s Family Justice Center Initiative Grant sponsored by the Department of Justice-Office on Violence Against Women. This federal pilot program would provide twenty million dollars across the country for the planning and development for the establishment of comprehensive domestic violence victim service and support centers.

Recognizing an incredible opportunity for San Antonio, Susan D. Reed, Bexar County Criminal District Attorney, brought together a powerful and successful collaborative to pursue the above described grant, beginning with the District Attorney's Office and partnering with Bexar County Housing & Human Services, San Antonio Police Department, University Health Systems and the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative. Ultimately, Bexar County filed their completed grant application on February 5, 2004 with the support of over thirty community partners from the public, non-profit and private sectors.

Later that year, the Department of Justice - Office of Violence Against Women awarded Bexar County the President’s Family Justice Center Initiative Grant, totaling $1,367,000.00.  San Antonio was only one of fifteen cities chosen across the country and was the only site in Texas.

Since opening in 2005, the Bexar County Family Justice Center has been housed in the old Brady Green hospital, now known as the University Health Systems-Downtown Clinic facility.  The Family Justice Center occupies over 11,000 square feet, and has been adapted for the provision of services for victims of domestic violence and their families.

Today, the Bexar County Family Justice Center has over forty on and off site partners who provide comprehensive services in the areas of law enforcement and prosecution, protective orders, employment and educational assistance, counseling, civil legal services, child therapy, health care, military liaison services, food and housing assistance, crisis intervention, child care, financial stabilization, life coaching, professional clothing assistance and emergency shelter.  Each client has the ability to see any and all service providers at no charge.  The Bexar County Family Justice Center serves over 4,000 families a year. All partners work together to fulfill the mission of assisting victims of domestic violence in their journey from survivor to thriver!