Hey. Take a deep breath.
If you are reading this, chances are things at home might feel overwhelming, chaotic, or completely unsafe right now. Maybe you left after a major fight. Maybe you feel like you just can’t go back. Or maybe you are couch-surfing, unsure where you will sleep tomorrow night.
First, know this: You are not in trouble, and you are not a burden. Your feelings matter, your physical safety matters, and your emotional safety matters just as much.
When everything around you feels upside down, the Teen Emergency Shelter here in Wichita Falls is a place where you can catch your breath and just be a kid again.
What is the Shelter Really Like?
Forget what you might have seen on TV. The shelter isn’t a lockup or a cold institution. It is a real house designed for youth ages 10 to 17 who need a safe timeout from a crisis.
Here is what you actually get:
- A Safe Space to Sleep: Your own warm bed, hot showers, and three solid meals and snacks a day.
- Total Respect: The staff here are trained to understand how stressful life can get. They aren’t here to judge you, lecture you, or make you feel guilty. They are here to protect your emotional safety and help you feel secure.
- Your Normal Routine: You can keep going to your regular school. The shelter will even provide bus passes or help with transportation so you don’t fall behind.
- A Place to Figure It Out: Through free, confidential counseling, someone will sit down with you to listen to your side of the story and help you figure out the next best steps for your life.
How Do You Get Here?Getting help is entirely voluntary—meaning you have a say in your own life. Here is how easy it is to connect:
- Call or Text: You can call the shelter directly 24/7 at 940-322-7671. Someone who cares will answer, no matter what time it is.
- Look for the Yellow Diamond: If you are out in public and feel unsafe, walk into any QuikTrip, United, or Walmart, Fire Station, or look for the yellow Safe Place sign. Tell any employee you need a safe place, and they will immediately connect you with the shelter.
- Just Walk In: You can come straight to the doors at 1101 30th Street right here in Wichita Falls.
You Deserve a Safe Place to Land!
You don’t have to navigate a family crisis, homelessness, or extreme stress by yourself. Reaching out isn’t giving up—it is taking control of your safety.
Whenever you are ready, the doors are open, the lights are on, and someone is waiting to help you. Make the call. You are worth it.
How Adults Can Help Make a Difference
Local youth need a strong community standing behind them. If you are an adult in Wichita Falls who wants to support the safety and future of these teens, there are several meaningful ways you can take action today.
📦 Donate High-Priority In-Kind Items
The shelter relies heavily on community donations to ensure every teen feels valued and prepared. The most urgent needs during the back-to-school season include:
- School Essentials: Brand-new backpacks, notebooks, binders, pens, and scientific calculators.
- Hygiene Supplies: Full-sized shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products.
- New Clothing: Unopened packs of socks and underwear (all sizes), as well as new or gently used hoodies and athletic shoes.
- Gift Cards: Small-denomination gift cards to local grocery stores, fast-food restaurants, or department stores to help buy fresh food or specific clothing items.
🤝 Partner as a Local Business or School
- Become a Safe Place Site: If you operate a local business or public space, learn how to train your staff to recognize youth in crisis and display the yellow Safe Place diamond.
- Host a Supply Drive: Rally your coworkers, church group, or civic club to host a specialized back-to-school donation drive.
- Spread the Word: Keep shelter hotlines and flyers visible in spaces where teens or parents gather, ensuring the information is always accessible.
💡 Learn More or Contact Staff
To coordinate a bulk donation drop-off, set up a corporate partnership, or request an informational flyer for your organization, contact the local administrative office directly at 940-322-7671
📍 Drop-off Location: 1101 30th St Wichita Falls Texas 76302
🔗 Give Online: See Below
🔗 Give Online: See Below
We also have an online Wish List if you like to shop online! Here is our Amazon Wish List:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/4NG4G9JU71IA?ref=cm_sw_sm_r_wl_mw_Nsp7fWluj5Vt0
Multiply Your Impact with Financial Giving 
If you prefer to make a financial contribution, your tax-deductible monetary gifts directly fund emergency care, counseling services, and facility upkeep.
- The Hands to Hands Community Fund: You can give directly to our designated fund through the Hands to Hands Community Fund. This local fund ensures that 100% of your donation stays right here in Wichita Falls to support the immediate, critical needs of our shelter’s youth.
- Launch an Employee Giving Campaign: Bring your workplace together for a lasting impact. You can set up an Employee Giving Campaign where coworkers can sign up for automatic payroll deductions, match individual donations, or run a friendly inter-department competition to see who can raise the most support for the shelter. For more information: https://www.hthcf.org/contact-us/#
Every donation helps a local teen feel prepared, valued, and safe. Let’s make sure every student in our community has the support they need to succeed! 💙
#WichitaFalls #WFTX #BackToSchool #YouthShelter #SupportLocalYouth #InKindDonations #CommunityCare