TITLE: Commemorating the opening of the Marla R. Johnson Housing Center at the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the opening of the Marla R. Johnson Housing Center at the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Hays-Caldwell Women's Center celebrated the opening of the Marla R. Johnson Housing Center on March 25, 2022; and WHEREAS, Originally formed in 1978 as the Hays County Women's Center, the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center is a nonprofit organization that offers free and confidential services to adults, youth, and children who are victims of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse; and WHEREAS, The Marla R. Johnson Housing Center, named after the longtime executive director of HCWC, provides transitional housing for survivors of domestic abuse and their family members; the 22,500-square-foot complex was designed to accommodate up to 18 families in apartment-style units for an extended period of time, giving residents the opportunity to find employment and more permanent living situations; in addition, there are Head Start and Early Head Start programs on site to provide quality child care and early childhood education, alleviating one of the greatest barriers to a woman and her children leaving an abusive situation; and WHEREAS, Financed through public and private donations, the $5 million project is located on property donated by the City of San Marcos and supplements the existing HCWC shelter for short-term emergency situations; moreover, the complex was made possible with the support of the Austin chapter of HomeAid, a national nonprofit that assists organizations that help fight homelessness; and WHEREAS, By providing victims of domestic violence with a safe place to live, the Marla R. Johnson Housing Center empowers those it serves to build a brighter future for themselves and their families, and in so doing, it contributes immeasurably to the strength of the community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the opening of the Marla R. Johnson Housing Center and commend all those involved in bringing the project to fruition; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Marla R. Johnson Housing Center as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Zwiener Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 652 was adopted by the House on March 30, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House