SAN ANTONIO — Roy Maas Youth Alternatives opened its new 'La Puerta' shelter, which helps children and teens who've faced trauma including sex trafficking, in January. But with limited funding, the nonprofit was not able to fix up a kitchen in the building -- until a $100,000 grant from Impact San Antonio came through.
Julie Strentzsch said La Puerta helps children and teens who've been through serious trauma.
"Forced to live on the streets and do horrible things in order to survive, and we want to remind them what it’s like to be a kid and take care of themselves so they never have to go back to that kind of life," said Chief Programs Officer Julie Strentzsch.
The shelter had been renting a portable kitchen to feed youth at the shelter. Then it received a grant from Impact San Antonio, which pools $1,000 donations from 100 women for each grant, and awards them in a range of categories.
"They need an environment that is going to show that we respect them," said Impact San Antonio's Beverley McClure. "They have dignity, and so you need to have an environment that reflects that."
Impact San Antonio is still accepting members for its next grant cycle. To learn more, click here. To get involved with RMYA, click here.
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