The Lowdon-Schutts Building is a thirteen-year-old, 15,000-square-foot facility dedicated to sheltering, feeding and caring for 30 homeless women and their 70 children. Mothers and their children receive safe shelter in a dormitory setting with beds, lockers and three meals a day.
The only shelter in Tarrant County that accepts families with teenagers, the Lowdon-Schutts building is a warm and caring environment for those who would otherwise sleep on the streets. Regardless of their reasons for needing assistance, families can receive free services without length-of-stay restrictions.
Our immediate goal is to stabilize the family by providing basic life necessities: a place to sleep (open dorm, or private room through transitional housing); blankets, towels and personal hygiene items; bathroom and shower facilities; and meals. Telephone and mail service are also available.
Two full-time case workers provide assistance in retrieving appropriate documentation, life-skills and parenting classes, health education, job placement and goal planning so clients can become self-sufficient, fully functional members of mainstream society. Caseworkers teach women to focus on their strengths, and help them strive for stability and consistency, fairness, respect, and caring and kindness. A comprehensive children’s program that incorporates structured playgroups, onsite counseling and after-school tutoring helps further physical, educational and personal development for all age groups.
Since the program’s inception, more than 475 families have been served. In 2012, 60 families left the homeless population and successfully entered a permanent supportive housing program. Receiving NO federal funding, the Lowdon-Schutts Building’s over $550,000 operating budget is generously funded by a majority of donations from individuals, foundation, corporations and local churches.
