The Children's Shelter Programs Family Strengthening

Family Unit-versity

Learn the skills to help you and your child become your best selves. Who is eligible? Moms and dads of kids 0-3 years in San Antonio. Learn More

Compadre y Compadre

Male caregivers come together for 15 weeks in a group setting to build their parenting skills, which help them develop, nurturing relationships with their children and family. Who is eligible? Male caregiver with at least one child between ages 0-17 who reside in Bexar or surrounding counties.

iParent SA   Step (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) is a free seven-week long multi-component parenting education curriculum. The STEP program helps parents learn effective ways to relate to their children from birth through adolescence by identifying the purposes of children’s behavior. STEP also helps parents learn how to encourage cooperative behavior in their children and how not to reinforce unacceptable behaviors.

Nurse-Family Partnership

This is free for women who are pregnant with their first baby. When you enroll you will be connected to a registered nurse who will provide the support, advice and information you need to have a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and be a great mom.

The Children's Center

2939 West Woodlawn

San Antonio, TX 78228

PHONE (210) 212-2500

EMAIL info@chshel.org

Brian Schwartz, LPC‑S

Brian Schwartz is the Director of Treatment and Clinical Services for The Children’s Shelter program called The Hope Center. Brian said the program opened in 2015 to support children and families who have experienced some form of trauma. The Hope Center is funded through grants and Medicaid. While a sliding scale may be available, Schwartz said the program has not had to charge families for services.


The Hope Center uses several therapy approaches, including play therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR. Counselors help children reshape the story of what happened to them, understand that the trauma was not their fault, and rebuild a healthier sense of self.


Many children served by The Hope Center have been affected by traumatic experiences, abandonment, and ongoing family stress. Schwartz said some children grow up seeing unhealthy relationships as normal. The Hope Center helps children and parents learn what a safe, calm, loving, and nurturing relationships can look like.

Children who struggle with emotional distress may have trouble in school, withdraw from others, or fall in with the wrong crowd. The Hope Center helps children learn how to express their feelings, talk with their parents, and begin thinking about their goals and dreams. The Hope Center serves children ages 3 to 18, young adults ages 18 to 23, and parents of children ages 0 to 18 who need support with parenting. Most sessions are in person, though telehealth is available. The center also has a play therapy room and a sensory room.


A typical number of counseling sessions is 10 to 18 over a 3-to-4-month period. Over the past quarter, The Hope Center had 144 active cases. To ensure each child receives quality care, counselors’ caseloads are no more than 25 clients. Families can complete an inquiry form on The Hope Center’s website (click here) and are contacted within 24 hours or the next business day. Brian is working to change the way children view therapy. Instead of seeing counseling as a failure, he wants children to understand that meeting with a mental health counselor is just as important as visiting a medical doctor.


The Children's Shelter is celebrating 125 years of service. For more information or to volunteer or donate, call (210) 212-2500 or visit www.childrensshelter.org/hope.

Shemaiah Bush

Shemaiah Bush is a parent educator for one of the Family Strengthening Programs offered at The Children’s Shelter. Family Unit-versity is a 10-week program in-person or online for any caregiver with a child up to 3 years of age. The program talks about early intervention, the importance of advocacy for your child, the importance of relationships for child development, and more. Family Unit-versity also has one-day sessions called Play shops or Boot Camps, where they teach about important developmental strategies and then parents get to practice them with their babies. 


Before Shemaiah came to work with Family Strengthening, she had been working with children and families for over a decade. After having her own children, she realized just how much was missing from the training sphere for people becoming parents. She said it was with Family Strengthening at The Children’s Shelter that she fully understood the power and depth of the child/caregiver bond. She shared that 90% of a child’s brain is developed in the first 5 years of their life and the connections that are made will affect children for the rest of their lives. Children are capable of amazing things when they are nurtured properly. Shemaiah educates caregivers on both the physical and the heart needs of children. She said you must help parents understand that they are not just raising a baby, or a child, they are raising a person and all that comes with it.

The Children’s Shelter offers many programs within their Family Strengthening division.


  • Compadre Y Compadre is for male caregivers come together for 15 weeks in a group setting to build their parenting knowledge and skills, which help them develop strong, nurturing relationships with their children and family. 
  • IParent SA is a free seven-week multi-component parenting education curriculum. The STEP program helps parents learn effective ways to relate to their children from birth through adolescence by identifying the purposes of children’s behavior. STEP also helps parents learn how to encourage cooperative behavior in their children and how not to reinforce unacceptable behaviors.
  • Nurse-Family Partnership is for women who are pregnant with their first baby. When you enroll you will be connected to a registered nurse who will provide the support, advice and information you need to have a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and be a great mom.


All programs are free and offered in both English and Spanish. The classes are offered in virtual and in person to accommodate every lifestyle. All programs include case management and basic needs assistance. To volunteer, donate or for more information, visit www.childrensshelter.org.