Dedication held for new Emergency Shelter at St. PJ’s

Valero CEO Bill Klesse looks over the new signage in front of the Valero Adolescent Emergency Shelter at St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home. Jordan McMorrough | Today's Catholic

SAN ANTONIO -- At a time when the epidemic of child abuse and neglect is ever more prevalent, St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home is working hard to continue the fight against child abuse and neglect.

St. PJ’s celebrated the opening of the new Valero Adolescent Emergency Shelter on Sept. 2. The multi-million dollar facility will provide a safe home an additional 32 children between the ages of 12-17.

On hand for the dedication and ribbon cutting were representatives from St. PJ’s, including Executive Director James Castro; Valero CEO Bill Klesse, and Archbishop Jose Gomez.

In his comments, Castro cited the fact that while Child Protective Service (CPS) removal rates among families are down, adolescents remain the most difficult group to find placement for.

In 2008, Castro said CPS conducted 14,361 investigations in Bexar County, resulting in findings of abuse and neglect in 6,600 of those cases. Further, 1,434 removals from families resulted from these investigations. Yet, in just the months of April through July of this year, 749 referrals were made to St. PJ’s, and of these 40 percent, or 302 cases, were for adolescents between the ages of 13 to 17. However, St. PJ’s was only able to accept 19 of these because of capacity.

“But with this new building we can now serve a broader spectrum,” he said. “This completion is great news for adolescents and the community.”

St. PJ’s has been serving the San Antonio community for over 100 years. St. PJ’s provides a home for over 300 children per year between the ages of infant-17 that are victims of severe abuse and neglect.