Christ’s Haven for Children

Family Model, Trauma Informed, Normalcy, Dignity, Hope

Seventy-two years ago, in a small home in Fort Worth, a couple looked around their living room and realized something extraordinary. Their house was full of children who needed safety, love, and stability — and still, dozens more needed a place to go. They could have said enough. 

But instead, they opened their hearts even wider. They walked door to door, neighbor to neighbor, until they were able to purchase a total of 200 acres in Keller.

It became Christ’s Haven for Children. 

Today, what remains is 58 acres of the original land. And though time has passed, the mission has not changed. It still beats with the very same heartbeat it began with — every child deserves a safe home, a stable foundation, and a place where they are          loved unconditionally.

Every child who arrives at Christ’s Haven brings a story — some spoken, some still locked inside. 

Many have lived through trauma far beyond their years. They come with fear, uncertainty, and a lifetime of questions no child should ever have to carry. 

Children are arriving with deeper wounds, and families are stretched thinner. Mental health struggles are rising, and Christ’s Haven is determined to meet each need with compassion– never compromise.

Then, something remarkable happens. For the first time, they get to be kids.

Healing doesn’t happen instantly. But it does happen. And it happens here, in this haven created decades ago by two people who believed in the power of love. A haven lovingly sustained and strengthened by the generosity of people who still believe in that mission today.

For many of these children, this is the first time they’ve ever experienced simple things we often take for granted: a bedroom, routine, and a home with house parents who then become family.

At Christ’s Haven, care begins long before the crisis. Increasingly, CPS refers families to the organization preemptively — not for abuse or neglect, but to give parents space to stabilize their lives while ensuring their children remain safe, supported, and surrounded by dignity. These voluntary placements may last a few weeks or several years, depending on what each family needs. Every child begins with a full assessment, allowing Christ’s Haven to craft the right plan — tutoring, therapy, case management, or educational support for students who have fallen behind.

Normalcy, Dignity, and Hope remain the organization’s core values. Children live as normal a life as possible, in a true home environment across Christ’s Haven’s seven residential homes. Plans are underway to add three more homes, with fundraising for this expansion beginning in 2026.

Unlike traditional foster care, children here do not “age out.” Instead, they launch into adulthood at a pace that fits their needs, supported through both residential care for ages 0–18 and a supervised independent living program for young adults 18–24. This year alone, six seniors will proudly graduate.

Families are welcomed, encouraged, and supported. Depending on assessment, parents may visit freely, and Christ’s Haven prioritizes reunification when it is safe and healthy. The goal is always to restore families, not replace them.

The need remains immense. With 38 children under 18, and 14 young adults currently in care, Christ’s Haven is at full capacity — and always has a waitlist.

Beyond the campus, the Family Resource Center continues to serve more than 380 families, offering food support, recipes, crisis counseling, case management, and connections to partner resources. Many families who could not afford mental health services find life-changing help here.

Christ’s Haven operates 100% privately funded, relying on individuals, churches, foundations, and events such as the annual golf tournament, fashion show, and clay shoot. Volunteers are the heartbeat of the mission — mentors, pantry helpers, and community workday teams.

“Our long-term house parents are the backbone of our mission,” said CEO Cassie McQuitty. “Nearly everyone we’ve hired in recent years began as a volunteer, getting to know the heart of our work before stepping into the role. As an organization, we are intentional about caring for the caregivers. House parents receive regular time off, access to mental health resources, and opportunities to rest, recharge, and reconnect. We want every member of our team to feel fully supported by our leadership.” 

With six and a half years of service, a lifelong passion for fundraising, and a deep love for children, she sums it up simply. “What would I want for my own kids? That’s how we lead.”

As you reflect on the spirit of the season, we hope you’ll consider donations or volunteering to Christ’s Haven — this holiday and beyond — to ensure every child and family receives the care they deserve.

Your generosity keeps this haven alive, and the support of all of us tells a child, “you matter, and you are not alone.”

Please reach out to Christ’s Haven:

4200 Keller-Haslet Rd., Keller, TX 76244 | info@christshaven.org | 817.431.1544