“What helped me the most was a neighbor who confronted me when she hardly knew me and offered to help whenever I was ready to take the first step.” —Teresa, survivor of domestic violence

History of the Family Place

1976
Gerry Beer establishes the Battered Women’s Task Force

to address the need for social services for abused women and children in Dallas. The YWCA also recognizes the need and begins a hotline and referral service, and the two groups collaborate to form the Dallas Violence Intervention Alliance (DVIA).

1978
Dallas Violence Intervention Alliance opens The Family Place

The first shelter for battered women and children in Texas: 50 families, including 91 children, found shelter, safety and healing that year.

1981
The Family Place becomes a national model

when the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect funds a four-year Children’s Therapeutic Program.

1982
Our first outreach office opens

to provide counseling to women living outside the shelter.

1984
We launched specialized counseling for batterers

through our Battering Intervention and Prevention Program.

1989
The Family Place Resale Shop

The shop opens to provide additional resources for clients and additional revenue for program services.

1993
Supportive Living Program

HUD awards funding to expand transitional housing and our Supportive Living Program is formed.

1993
Partners Card

The Family Place Partners launch Partners Card, our signature fundraiser, with 175 participating stores.

1998
The Be Project

The Be Project is created to educate students on bullying, teen dating violence and sexual assault.

2000
Sally’s House

Sally’s House opens with 100 beds, 22 transitional apartments and comprehensive support services.

2003
Faith and Liberty’s Place

Our supervised visitation center opens.

2010
Sally’s House expands

Large family apartments and a K-2 Education Center are added to Sally's House.

2013
Medical Clinic

A medical clinic opens at Sally’s house to meet the needs of our clients.

2016
Men’s Shelter

We open the first men’s shelter in Texas and a new counseling office in Collin County.

2017
Ann Moody Place

Ann Moody Place opens with one-of-a-kind features like an animal kennel for victims’ pets, a medical and dental clinic, specially designed play therapy rooms and more. The Family Place now provides a total of 177 shelter beds between all three shelters.