In 1954, a couple named Homer and Lillian Steadman purchased a large home at 1632 East Vickery Blvd. in Fort Worth, to provide a home for disadvantaged children. Within a very short time, the Steadmans had 10 children in their care.
Realizing that the need was greater than the space they had available, the couple began looking for a larger place to build cottages and provide a traditional home life for more children. In 1956, they joined with other interested families to purchase a farm in Keller and start the nonprofit organization Christ’s Haven for Children.
Christ’s Haven For Children is centered around the core values of normalcy, dignity and hope, providing a trauma-informed, family model of care for displaced children, teens and young adults.
As a voluntary placement organization, Christ’s Haven is an option outside of traditional foster care. Whether a child is with the organization for six months or 16 years, that time is used to share love and provide for daily needs such as food, childcare, medical care, counseling, tutoring and stability - in addition to offering college and career readiness for young adults ages 18-24 who are preparing for adulthood.
Children and teens live in a neighborhood of homes as opposed to dormitory style care. The Christ’s Haven neighborhood includes seven 3,000-sq. ft. houses with sets of houseparents caring for six to eight youngsters each; three independent living houses for young adults; two playgrounds; basketball courts; a soccer field and gymnasium; a pool and a chapel, all situated across 58 acres.
Many families are referred through word of mouth, churches, schools or caseworkers. Houseparents are paid employees of Christ’s Haven, and the services provided are funded solely through the generosity of the community and supporters. With their houseparents, these children operate as a family, preparing meals together, following school routines and engaging in typical family activities.
In the last several years, the number of children cared for has increased by 30%. The average age of a child coming to Christ’s Haven in 2022 was 5 years old. Successes of the organization have been many, with 77% of 4th-12th grade students improving their Texas STAAR test scores for the year 2022; mentors spending over 1,100 hours with Christ’s Haven youth; 350 hours of counseling and 348 hours of tutoring provided; and teenagers attending 32 different life skills classes. After high school graduation, an average 55% of these young adults enrolled in college, 29% found full time employment, 8% enrolled in trade school, and 8% enlisted in the military.
This year, the Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake Moms League – called GCS Mom’s League or GCSML – is hosting its annual charity fundraiser, “The Great Gala,” to support Christ’s Haven. GCS Moms League is dedicated to serving area families and the local community.
This year’s gala - planned for April 6th at the Westin Hotel Southlake – is centered on the theme Moulin Rouge: Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love. Admission includes a plated dinner, dancing, live auction and more.
The annual GCS Moms League Great Gala - founded in 1994 to build friendship, support and community - has a rich history of community involvement and entertainment while raising tens of thousands of dollars for local charities.
For Moulin Rouge ticket information or to volunteer at the event, visit https://www.gcsmomsleague.org/the-great-gala-ticket-information.
Whether a child is with Christ’s Haven for six months or 16 years, that time is spent loving them and instilling normalcy, dignity and hope into their lives.
Christ’s Haven For Children is a privately-funded nonprofit organization that exists through the generosity of donors, with a commitment to caring for displaced children, teens and young adults.
