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Our History

Our History.

Central Texas Youth Services is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides services to runaways, homeless, troubled youth, and their families throughout the Central Texas region.

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Central Texas Youth Services has been providing services to the Central Texas area since 1970.  The agency opened it's first emergency shelter, Option House, in 1974.  This program has since evolved to include emergency services, respite services, and transitional living services for ages 3-17 years of age.

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In 2002 Central Texas Youth Services identified the need for housing assistance programs for young adults aging out foster care and exiting the care of their families at age 18.  This began the development of Project FUTURE (Focus Upon Utilization of Resources and Employment) residential and outreach programs.  

 

Today Central Texas Youth Services offers a variety of services to Bell, Coryell, and McLennan Counties. Explore our site or contact us for further details.

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Waco

Killeen

Temple

Belton

SERVING BELL, CORYELL, AND MCLENNAN COUNTIES

Our Administration

Our Administration.

CTYS is lead by experienced and dedicated members. The administration team has 60+ years of youth and community service work experience. Read their stories below:

Our Team

Our Staff.

The mission of CTYS could not be accomplished without our staff. These individuals are our boots-on-the-ground that interact directly with the youth in our community.

Our Partners

Our Partners.

Our organization would not be able to help as much as we do, if it were not for our generous sponsors. On behalf of our staff and youth, we would like to thank each of our sponsors in actively helping fulfill our mission.  

A BIG thank you to....

  • City of Killeen/CDBG Funds/HOME Funds

  • Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

  • Texas Workforce Commission

  • National Runaway Switchboard 

  • United Way Central Texas

  • United Way of the Greater Tri-County Area

  • United Way of Waco-McLennan County

  • Texas Network of Youth Services

  • City Federation Foundation of Temple

  • Texas Homeless Network

  • ​U.S. Housing and Urban Development

  • Coca-Cola

  • Junior League of Bell County

  • Church Women League of Bell County

  • PCSI of Austin

  • Oasis Bingo of Harker Heights

  • Rock Rose Foundation

  • Bowen Foundation

  • Cadence Bank

  • Grande Cares

  • Jack in the Box Foundation

  • Papa Johns Foundation

  • Quik Trip

  • Tulsa Community Foundation

  • Bell Community Foundation

  • Dennis Eakin Kia.

  • Texas Runaway Hotline

  • Church Women of the Temple Area

  • Bell County Commissioners Court

  • Mid-Tex Corvette Club

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Call us:

254-939-3466

Fax us:

254-939-2103

Find us: 

204 N. East Street, Suite A 

Belton, Texas 76513

This website is supported by Grant Numbers 90CX7557, 90CY7595, and 90YZ0047 from the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Family and Youth Services Bureau.

Central Texas Youth Services strives to provide access, opportunity, and engagement for all youth who seek services regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality. 

© 2025 by Central Texas Youth Services.

24-HOUR CRISIS CARE LINE 1-800-421-TEEN (8336)

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