NONPROFIT Trel’s Home for Children Nonpro t adding residential centers for youth T rel’s Home for Children, a Conroe-based nonpro t, is expanding its capacity to “We have seen an increase [in need]; it’s why we decided to move forward with opening other facilities, because the need is
BY ANNA LOTZ
serve children in foster care with two new Montgomery County residential treatment centers in Magnolia and Spring opening by the end of May. Ken and Taneshu Collier started the nonpro t in 2019 in honor of their late son, Kentrel. The organization began with one 90-day emergency shelter in Conroe, a refuge for chil- dren in foster care for whom the state cannot nd a suitable placement. While the shelter is licensed to care for 11 youth up to age 18, most children are ages 9-17, said Ken, the organization’s chief operating o cer. He said the center has served more than 300 children. “It’s thriving. ... The kids are really doing phenomenal in our programs,” Ken said. “These kiddos may not live the same lifestyle as your kiddos live, or your nieces and nephews may live. However, we exist to change that narrative. We want to make sure that these kiddos can experience a simple vacation, … Christmas, have Thanks- giving, birthday parties. … We try to develop normalcy for them.” As of a Feb. 28 report to the Texas House Committee on Human Services by the Department of Family and Protective Services, 5.8% of children in the state’s care—1,196 children— resided in a residential treatment center, and 403 children across the state were in an emergency shelter. Ken said Trel’s Home for Children cares for children from across the state.
just so grand right now,” he said. “We’re trying to ind ways to do our part right now and be a piece of the puzzle.” The new Spring center will be able to house up to 11 youth until age 18 or when a foster home is found for them, Ken said. The exact location is not being divulged, but it is in Montgomery County, he said. In Magnolia, the new center will care for eight children with more intense needs, like psychiatric health, Ken said. He estimates the center is one of three in Texas. “That program will be focused on helping those kiddos learn appro- priate coping skills; they’re not able to go to school … so we’re able to provide school on-site for them,” he said. Trel’s Home for Children also launched a child placing agency component last summer, meaning the organization can license families to care for foster children. “We see kiddos who we feel deserve a fair shake at life, so we wanted to be able to place those kiddos with phenomenal families,” Ken said. “There are a lot of families that are really interested in fostering kiddos, but for some, it’s too far to go to Houston or there’s no opening in an organization to take them. … It just seemed like a win-win. We’re able to take this community and plug them into what we’re doing.”
A group of volunteers puts beds together for Trel’s Home for Children, which serves children in foster care. (Photos courtesy Ken Collier)
Trel’s Home for Children cares for children for whom a suitable placement cannot be found, known as children without placement. Data shows that number jumped in 2020. Number of children without placement in Texas CHILDREN without PLACEMENT
Sept. 2019- Aug. 2020 Sept. 2020- Aug. 2021 Sept. 2021- Aug. 2022
385
1,572
1,242
SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, TREL’S HOME FOR CHILDREN COMMUNITY IMPACT Trel’s Home for Children opened 2 additional treatment centers in April. Each shelter can care for up to 11 children.
Ken (right) and Taneshu Collier started Trel’s Home for Children in 2019. The nonpro t plans to open two new treatment centers in May.
Trel’s Home for Children 1110 N. Loop 336 W., Conroe
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936-217-1047 www.th4c.org
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