Host Jeff Flinn (managing editor, Boerne Star) interviews Allison Peterson, the new executive director of the Kendall County Women's Shelter (KCWS), who joined in March 2026. The conversation covers the shelter's services, the realities of domestic abuse, and how the community can help.

Key topics covered:

Scope of domestic violence: Staggering national stats — 32 people experience intimate partner violence every minute; 47% of women experience contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner.

Broader definition of abuse: Not just physical — psychological, emotional, financial, social, and religious abuse are all addressed.

The shelter: 7,000 sq ft, 9 bedrooms, serves 30+ people daily — men, women, families, and pets. One of only 15% of emergency shelters nationwide with a pet facility. Always at capacity.

Non-residential services: Counseling, legal aid, case management, food, transportation — available even if you don't need a bed.

Holistic care: Job readiness, ID/document recovery, group and individual counseling to break the cycle of abuse.

Fundraising needs: New admin team, 24/7 staffing, 12 AC units, two commercial water heaters, pet facility — all costly to operate.

Community partners: Golfers For Others, Frost Bank, Boerne Star, Boerne Radio, and many individual donors recognized.

Call to action: Invite Allison to speak to civic groups; donate; spread awareness.

Contact info shared:

Admin office: 830-331-8950 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm) | 930 N. School St.

24-hour hotline: 1-800-495-8078

Website: KCWSTexas.org

Fabulous Finds Thrift Store: located next door to admin office

Timeline

Time     Topic

0:00     Jeff Flinn intro; show welcome

0:24     Intro to Allison Peterson; opening domestic violence statistics

1:00     Reframing what a women's shelter does — beyond physical abuse

1:27     Allison's background; new executive director since March; admin office location

1:46     Fabulous Finds Thrift Store next door

2:23     Types of abuse: psychological, emotional, financial, social, religious

2:44     Story of a woman who took 7 attempts to leave — financial control

3:26     Always at capacity; shelter opened 2012; serves 30+ daily including men and pets

4:12     Pet facility — one of only 15% of shelters nationwide; pets used as leverage in abuse

5:16     Intake process — decompression time, caseworkers, counselors

6:14     Length of stay — days to months depending on situation

6:39     Allison shares personal connection to the mission; 15 years in nonprofits

7:24     New team direction; program and process improvement

8:22     Non-residential services explained

9:17     "Couch surfers" who don't know help exists — awareness gap analogy

9:49     Contact info — website, admin number, 24-hour hotline

10:28  Encouraging listeners to save the number for friends/family in need

11:18  24-hour hotline repeated: 1-800-495-8078

11:48  What happens when at capacity — shelter network collaboration

12:10  More national stats — 40 million women; 40% of US women report physical violence

13:00  Fundraising needs and community outreach

13:34  Operating costs — food, clothing, 12 AC units, 2 water heaters, 24/7 staff

14:39  Invitation for civic orgs to book Allison as a speaker

15:43  Intakes happen any time — day or night

16:25  Numbers repeated; call to action for organizations needing speakers

17:28  Community partners thanked: Golfers For Others, Frost Bank, Boerne Star, Boerne Radio

18:54  Holistic care — breaking the cycle; counseling, job readiness, document recovery

20:28  The cycle of returning to abusers — counseling role in breaking it

21:32  Financial and social control tactics used by abusers

21:48  Fatal DV statistics — 70% of fatal victims are women; 4 women murdered daily

22:46  Closing — Allison's contact info repeated; speaker invite

23:27  Final hotline repeat and sign-off

Original Air Date:  July 4, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/