HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — There is a huge need to help children in foster care find some stability in their life. Many are moved from facility to facility. 

The Burke Center for Youth is hoping to take in a couple more kids, but it needs help in order to help others. 

Currently, 24 boys from ages 10 to 17 years old live at the center. 

“Our focus is just on foster kids that have been abused, neglected, and that’s who we take care of,” said Steve Fournier, the center’s executive director.

Right now 21 boys live at the center but, with the new addition, they will be able to house 30. It’s the first boys dorm in Texas where each boy gets their own room.

We’re quite proud of a billboard that went up in Laredo that helps to promote not only our Child Placement Agency but also the importance of foster care.

DRIFTWOOD, Texas (KXAN) —The Burke Center for Youth, located in Driftwood, has helped mold and shape boys in foster care for decades.

“It is a life-changing place,” said Jeffery Yarbrough, who has spent the last three-and-a-half years living at the facility. “If I never had a program like they have here, I would probably end up somewhere where I wouldn’t want to be for a long time.”

Oak Hill UMC has been supporting the Burke Center for Youth in Driftwood for over 30 years. In this informative video, we get to see a bit of the Burke Center including words from teachers, staff, and equine specialists about what is done to help the boys on a daily basis.