Guardian House

Guardian House is a very necessary service; because only 2 of its kind exists in San Antonio; making a very good opportunity for more safe places like it to start up; and force guardian house to lose donations until it treats people with respect at all times. 1. my first day to sign up; a police officer yanks opens the door; in the most aggressive and hostile way possible; then visually scans me up and down; like I've done some thing; wrong and then let's me in. 2. I offer to do as the judge; told me to do; and the front desk gets confused; as to why I want to pay for both parties of both visits; 3. Then I start asking questions; and the more questions I asked; the MORE the front desk worker (s) become more suspicious about all my questions. 4. I started getting annoyed; by the entire staffs; guilty of something behaviors towards me ; coming from every single person working in that building. 5. Policy is what the NON-PROFT hides behind; when state rules say nothing about when a person is to arrive or when a person is to leave; and state rules say nothing about paying $10 every five minutes extra money when someone shows up to early or late; 6. The POLICY the this NON-PROFIT hides behind when a police officer lady; who is using her badge to force me out of the halls while I look out windows; waiting for my children to leave. 7. Then when I agreed to this Donation run businesses terms to leaving first and then letting the children leave after me; they switched on me at the last minute and tried to blame it on me as if it was my misunderstanding. 8. The entire staff must deal with criminals all day so they treat every single male; that uses the (Public benefit donation dependent non-profit guardian house;) like they are horrible people; 9.The entire staff never returns phone calls and all private voice mails are heard by the entire afraid and suspicious of you front desk; 10. the police that become security for guardian on my visits days to need to be fired from any an all police forces and treaded like I was treated. 11. My truth telling about all the mistakes guardian house made during my $300+ donation to use the non-profit business at the judges orders is not over. I will truth tell about guardian house forever. The donors need to know guardian house makes many unnecessary rude wrong and unhealthy behaviors towards some customers and should stop. The rudest people in guardian house are all the front desk; the hostile and ready to hurt someone unjustifiably police lady and man that I saw. Use kidshare its better and no police that I know of are going to be using the powers (the forth branch of government (citizenship) gave them) against you. I will leave a review on guardian house every 3+ weeks until I get a return of my money; that I spent to be treated this way) And I will not even have to lie about it. ??If only I could send this review to the sponsors of guardian house.?? I think I will do this now.

I know this organization personally and professionally. In the past it has had its ups and downs as any growing organization can attest to but, there are many good things happening at Guardian House. Under the direction of Shannon White this organization has not only seen positive growth but, solid impact in our community and with the families it serves. Often times there are families that must report to Guardian House with a load of inter relational hurts that can result in bitterness toward all. The team at Guardian house helps and heals so that families can restore hope in their relationship and move forward in peace. In the past 3 years the organization has added valuable programs that promote parent-child bonding like art therapy, Parent Café and Teens class. There is an entirely positive vibe at Guardian House that is worth checking out!

This organization is one of only a few of its kind in the city. It provides a wonderful, necessary service to the community. However, the staff are incredibly untrained and nearly incompetent. There is a ridiculous amount of turnover for such a small agency. The goal of the agency is to provide a safe environment for exchanges and supervised visits, yet they do not follow the court orders and are unable to provide the full amount of time available for the visits. The staff are very rude and they are always changing, which makes an unstable environment. Also, they are very judgemental of the clients seeking services, assuming they are all bad people and treating them as such. They are supposed be a neutral party, yet they are not. They often get confused on who is the custodial party, losing payments, charging when they are not supposed to and charge a ridiculous amount for their counseling service- which is done only by interns. They need a complete overhaul.

The center is invaluable. The staff are professional & courteous & extremely caring. Their service to the
community is as invaluable as our police & fireman. Families in distress need a "soft place to fall". The center is that place. When you walk in ..you know immediately it is all about our children and making them feel safe and secure and with people that love & care for them. It is a true "home" for children away from their home, complete with an outdoor playground. They do their best to meet the needs of all family members and in so doing, help all the children find a place of harmony.
From Pamela McGuire executive director...to each and every staff member, volunteer, board director and contributor, they believe in and truly put into action their mission statement.
Thank you for all you do. EMB

The family counseling here is grounded, effective, and based on a wealth of diverse experience. I would highly recommend their services - both for the more dire situations that the Center regularly handles (for which the local bar and bench are extremely grateful) and for general family relations improvement advice and counseling.

I have personally witnessed The Center For Family Relations for many years (since its inception) provide amazing services in the way of exchanges, counseling and support to children and families in the midst of difficult separations, divorces, etc. The children are the innocent ones in these cases, and they need to be able to love both of their parents, no matter what, and without being made to feel guilty for doing so.

The employees, the volunteers and the board of this organization work very hard to continue this incredibly necessary and worthwhile organization.

I have been a client for many years. I have seen this organization go steadily down the tube. The staff are rude, and incompetent, knowing nothing about individual cases. They tend to forward calls to someone else and no one seems to know what they are doing. They have put me and my children in uncomfortable situations with my ex-spouse, who is the reason we are there. They are supposed to provide a safe place, but they do not monitor the parking lot and caontinually mix up arrival/visit times. I ahve tried many times to contact the directors, but they are never there. EVER. I have been told they would get back to me, but I have never gotten through to a director, despite leaving messages and voicemails. The only reason I continue to use their services is because i was ordered by a judge to. if i could, I would switch services to Family Service Association, whom I know to be more professional, but I cannot.

I have been a volunteer for Center for Family Relations for two years.It has been truly been an honor working to support such an important organization keeping children safe in the SA community.

My husband and I have recently split up, and I had concerns about his mental state, which made me worry about his access to his daughter. One of the directors at the center is a personal friend. I had recently been to the center during a vacation to the US (I am British) as she was working over time (she is very dedicated) and managed to see some of the leaflets and posters aimed at the users. Therefore, when I had to decide what to do about my husband having contact with my daughter, and with help from the director I was more able to make a non-emotional decision in the best interests of my child. I feel that I was lucky to know somebody in this work area, otherwise contact arrangements might have got messy, more about what I wanted than what my child deserved. I know that similar institutions are present in the UK, and that they too are woefully underfunded. The work that goes on here is important, not just for the kids, but for their parents too. I know that workshops are carried out so that co-parenting is less fraught and I think that it would be useful to advertise these in the general population, as I feel that the help I received was equivalent to one of these workshops. Although it was evident that the work was hard, and poorly paid, all the staff were cheerful and helpful. I felt that the users were put at ease by their demeanor.

I have been very impressed with the impact this organization has made on the community. There are so many families inundated with problems that are a generation’s cycle. The buck stops here. The cycle stops correcting the problem from the roots up before it becomes a tree.

I have to say that it is an Honor to be a member of the Board in representing CFR, and what it stands for. The Center has done a wonderful and outstanding job with parents and children in providing council and mediation. The care that goes with it from the Director to the staff. Family's can feel the warmth and comfort when making the exchange, everyone is treated with same equal respect. I have sat in to watch how the flow of the center runs and I was very impressed and pleased. The center has developed a strong foundation, And has and continues to make strong improvements to better serve the community. I support CFR and applaud the center for the great job that they do, dedication is very important to me, and I strongly see it @ the Center. As we grow together to continue to develop a Stronger Facility. And offer more services that will benefit our children and educate the parents, it will make for a much better life for these family's. CFR is the Facility that I would Highly recommend, and would do so even if I wasn't on the board. Best Regards Brandy Lopez

Our agency has had a professional relationship with the Center for Family Relations (CFR) since 2002. We provide funding support for services such as supervised visitaion and exchange, as well as cooperative parenting classes. CFR is known for the quality and dependability of these services, and other services they provide to the community and this reputation mirrors our experience with them. They are a valued partner and support for families experiencing transistions such as seperation and divorce or who need assistance in maintaining the integrity of both parents' relationship with their children.

Margaret Barron, Development Director for The Center for Family Relations, fulfills her responsibilities in a thoroughly professional manner. She has excellent verbal and written communication skills and her experience and expertise in fundraising and the nonprofit sector make her a tremendous asset to the Center. Meg represents the Center and embraces its mission for families in the best possible way. Shannon White, Clinical Director for The Center For Family Relations, is dedicated and inspirational in her role. Her devotion and understanding of the various programs, as well as her ability to work therapeutically with the children and families involved in the program make her invaluable to the entire process.

I have been involved with the Center for Family Relations for over 10 years and will continue to support this wonderful organization. I am happy our community has the Center, which is both educational and safe.

My first encounter with the Center for Family Relations was several years ago when I attended KIDS (Kids In Divorce Situations) an educational class offered through the center to help parents understand the impact of divorce on their children and help them minimize the negative effects. I believe it helped me manage my relationship with my son. I have volunteered my time to the Center for the past four years now and have seen the most positive team-oriented work enviroment. The Center is dedicated to helping children and parents with several programs and services and all families are treated with dignity and respect. This organization is truly a great asset to the community and I am proud to be the Board President. I will continue to support its cause.

Our experience with the Center For Family Relations has been a positive one in every aspect. Children and their families are treated with professional, attentive, and respectful care. The "feel" of the visits are of a home like experience. Safety and security are regarded by all the volunteers and employees as priority. The families we have seen come into the Center for visits seem to be both happy and productive. We persoally utilized their services and experienced a high level of quality care. I would not hesitate to recommend and refer to the Center for Family Relations.

Words can not express the enrichment this organization has brought to my life. Making a postive contribution to others is exactly what this organization does. The children who's lives are touched will forever be better as a result of "The Center For Family Relations".... The staff is highly trained and extremely caring. The Director has a passion for these children and this organization, her dedication is unbelieveable. I have very limited time as a business owner and clinical director. Giving back to the community is very important to me and this organization was a great way to do that. Thank you "Center For Family Relations" for all you do. Sitting on this Board of Directors is an honor!

As a family law attorney, I have seen how this community center has impacted families and more importantly children in my own practice. The center provides essential services to include parenting classes and counseling for both parents and children. They are essential in helping hundreds of families every year in San Antonio navigate the often turbulent waters of a divorce proceeding. Furthermore, they provide a safe environment for children and parents to reconnect. The center is an important asset to the legal community of San Antonio and is one of the reasons that I am very pleased and proud to serve as one of its newest board members.

As a business owner, my time is very limited, however I felt the need to join the Center for Family relations as a board member because I wanted to do my part to help support such a wonderful organization. The staff tirelessly give of themselves to create a comfortable and safe environment for the children that pass through their doors daily. Counseling services and assistance are their number one priority. I feel that this organization is an asset to the city of San Antonio and should be a model for other non profit organizations. I am proud to lend my time and support in any way that I can.