Jan. 14, alongside the community and stakeholders that made a dream a reality, Girls’ Haven hosted a ribbon cutting and public tour of its brand-new residential campus, believed to be the first building in Texas constructed from the ground up specifically to operate as a General Residential Operation (GRO) and group foster home.
Located at 3460 Fannin St. in Beaumont, the beautifully finished facility represents a new chapter in the nonprofit’s 30-year mission to provide a “safe, nurturing home for girls” ages 6 – 18 experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment, or severe family dysfunction.
Dozens of attendees, representatives from local nonprofits, and community leaders gathered for the ceremony and guided tours. Guests walked through the residence, taking in the aesthetic finishings, thoughtfully selected furniture, and intentional design details. The bedrooms, warmly decorated with age-appropriate décor such a Barbie dreamhouse in the youngest girls’ room and more mature, personalized spaces for teens, offer comfort and functionality. Each room also boasts desks for studying, reinforcing the importance of education and stability. The spacious living room walls are filled with books, and the kitchen was described by visitors as “top notch.”
If the adage of a person being a product of their environment is true, the environment created inside Girls’ Haven’s new home sets the stage for its residents to thrive.
Former resident Tiffany Jackson was introduced by longtime supporter Joe Penland Sr. to offer a first-hand account of growing up at the original Girls’ Haven location. Jackson reflected on what Girls’ Haven meant to her as a child.
“I was 10 when I came from Silsbee to Girls’ Haven,” said Jackson. “I was scared and didn’t know what to expect but, when I got to Girls’ Haven, I got to experience wonderful things I’d never experienced before.
“I hope this will be a safe place to grow for the next generation of girls, like it was for me.”
Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce’s Jay Wilson presented a proclamation celebrating Girls’ Haven’s impact on the community and its continued stated commitment to serving vulnerable youth.
“Today represents continued commitment to providing safety, opportunity, and commitment to girls who deserve nothing less,” said Wilson.
Unlike residential foster facilities retrofitted from existing structures, the new Girls’ Haven residence was intentionally designed to meet and exceed GRO standards, staff presented. Every aspect of the building — from safety features and supervision layouts to therapeutic and communal spaces — was planned specifically with foster youth in mind.
“This building represents a new era of care for foster youth in Southeast Texas,” said Kaylee Henry, Girls’ Haven Development & Public Relations director. “It’s more than a beautiful facility; it’s a safe, stable, and nurturing home created specifically to meet the unique needs of the girls we serve.”
Special guest Penland, a driving force behind the new construction, was joined in honor with project contractor M3Ranger and multiple major donors that helped bring the vision to life. Guests of esteem likewise included dozens of Girls’ Haven supporters, all dedicating time and presence to reiterate their continued support of the organization’s mission to restore hope and provide healing — “one child at a time, one life at a time” — creating a world of opportunity for children.
As attendees exited the tour, the overwhelming sentiment expressed was one of gratitude, pride, and optimism for the future. The new residence was regarded in reflection not only as a beautiful building, but as a symbol of what is possible when a community comes together to protect, uplift, and invest in its children.
Founded in 1994, Girls’ Haven has a long history of serving Southeast Texas by “providing trauma-informed care, life-skills development, and educational support.” The organization partners with Ehrhart Charter School to ensure residents have access to small classroom environments and educators that understand residents’ experiences. The attributed “wraparound model” also provides close collaboration between school and residential staff. In 2025, Ehrhart was one of the few schools in the region to earn an A rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
More than 30 years after it was first founded, Girls’ Haven continues to serve girls across Southeast Texas — now in a home built specifically for healing, growth, and lasting stability.