About the Nonprofit
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The A. Fern Norville Children's Emergency Shelter aka Norville Center Children’s Shelter is committed to meeting the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of the abused child.
The facility opened its doors in August of 1985 and has continued to provide for emergency needs of the abused and neglected child. The mission and goals of the governing bodies, the management and the staff are to have a positive and lasting impact on the life of the abused child and to give each child the memory of a good and healthy experience in a loving home-like environment.
The Kaufman County Children's Emergency Shelter is known throughout the State of Texas, through the Child Protective Service industry, as a model facility in providing a quality environment for the abused and neglected child.
One of the most unique features of the shelter is its focus on family. There are no other shelters in our region, and only a hand full in the state that are able to admit for care an entire family of siblings, from birth to seventeen years of age. Almost all other facilities of this nature are age specific and refrain from accepting the family group as a whole because of the difference in the needs of the maturing child and an infant. This one unique difference keeps the Kaufman shelter in high demand. Our inclusion of all ages also gives an unusual twist to the ongoing needs of the shelter, from baby formula to prom dresses.
The funding for the shelter comes in a mix of state and federal funds directed by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. These reimbursement fees are designed solely for the care and support of the child. All other needs, such as the facility maintenance and building and grounds upkeep must be sought elsewhere.
Due to federal and state budget shortages and other more pressing government needs, the funding for the abused or neglected child has suffered drastically. The need for increased community support is at an all time high.
