About Us
Texoma Family Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit homeless shelter for displaced families and singles.
We are the only shelter in Grayson County providing temporary housing for homeless families. The Shelter receives no local, county, state or federal government funding. Operating expenses are paid from donations, grants and revenue generated from the Texoma Family Thrift store that is next to the Shelter.
Our Vision
TFS is very excited to announce our new vision: to build a brand new “transitional housing” dormitory to help our Residents along on their journey back into mainstream society. The dorm will include 6 shared bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, living room, restrooms, and a laundry area. In order to be eligible to reside in the dorm, Residents must have secured employment, so that once built, the dorm will be supported by and maintained by the Residents themselves. Once a Resident has saved up enough money for a security deposit and market rent, they will continue on their road to self-sufficiency by leaving the dorm and making space for the next Resident.
Our Story
In 1985, the Grayson County Ministerial Alliance committed itself to addressing the growing homeless population in the county in an effort to help relieve the suffering that displacement causes. The Grayson County Shelter (GCS) was incorporated in 1987 as a 501(c)3, a tax-exempt non-profit organization, and GCS opened its doors for the first time in June 1988.
Our building used to be called “The Old Brandt Clinic Building,” owned by Dr. Donald H. Brandt. In a very generous act that for which we will be forever grateful, Dr. Brandt donated the building to GCS in honor of his wife Helen. Thank you, Dr. Brandt and the Brandt family!
In May 2020, we changed our name from Grayson County Shelter to Texoma Family Shelter, in order to reflect the private nature of our operation (vs the perception that we are a county-run facility). A second reason for the change was to avoid the misconception among some in the community that we are a dog shelter (we love dogs, but unfortunately they can’t stay here)! And while we were changing names, we also renamed our resale store from “The Crowded Closet” to “Texoma Family Thrift.”
The facility currently has 46 beds, a dining area, laundry facilities, a food pantry, restrooms, an outdoor playground, and the offices that support the shelter. On the east side of our parking lot is the Texoma Family Thrift, our resale store open to the public. TFS has plans to expand its transitional housing options in the near future…we are a shelter on the move, so check back soon!