Hagar's Heart

The Hagar's Heart Story

Our story begins with one woman’s success in rebuilding her life after abuse and her determination to help make the path to recovery easier for others. Breaking the cycle of domestic violence requires a strong heart and mind. Abusers do everything they can to destroy their victim’s belief in themselves. They belittle, disempower, and instill fear at every opportunity. We aim to educate the need for self-care and empowerment and build self-esteem. To undo the damage done and let survivors know without a doubt that they are worthy of love, they are enough, and they have a future. We show survivors how much they are valued through acts of kindness, gifts of love, listening to their stories, and giving them time to recover. When a person knows someone cares, they can be brave, they can be positive, they can believe in a future, and they can have hope again.

 

Our Mission

Hagar’s Heart supports, educates, and empowers domestic violence survivors through self-care initiatives and programs. We care for survivors of domestic violence during recovery. We aim to give back what was taken from them by their abusers – their self-worth and trust. Since May 2020, we have reached over 11,000 survivors of domestic violence by gifting “I See You” boxes and hosting events that promote self-worth and value rest.

Did you know...

• 1 in 3 women in Texas will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, versus the national average of 1 in 4.
• 59,269 domestic violence hotline calls were made in the Dallas/North Texas region in a single year.

• In 2024, 161 Texans were killed by an intimate partner, leaving 104 children without a parent.

• 20,800 contacts are made to domestic violence hotlines nationwide every day.
• 69% of Texas survivors meet the criteria for PTSD.

Each month our goal is to reach 300 survivors seeking help through delivering our "I See You" boxes, to our partner agencies. Additionally, Hagar's Heart host programs throughout the year including Santa's Shack, Carry the Joy, corporate packing parties, and more! 

---

I See You Boxes

The I See You Box is a heartfelt gift designed to affirm survivors of domestic abuse that they are seen, worthy, and loved. Each box is carefully packed with self-care items and handwritten notes of encouragement, recognizing that it takes 5–7 positive reinforcements to undo a single negative one. These items focus on emotional support, helping survivors rebuild self-esteem and reconnect with their inner strength. The I See You box is a symbol of hope; a gentle nudge toward healing and a fresh start. The first thing a survivor sees when opening their box, is a handwritten note from a volunteer offering a powerful message of affirmation. Inside, survivors find personal care tools and comforting items that may have been left behind in moments of crisis, now repurposed to inspire self-care and healing. 

Donate: I See You Box Wishlist

---

Santa's Shack

The holidays can be especially difficult. Families are rebuilding their lives, often while carrying grief, uncertainty, and trauma.
That's why Hagar's Heart created Santa's Shack.
Santa's Shack is more than a holiday program. It is an opportunity for children to experience something many have not felt in a long time: the joy of giving. Children shop for gifts for their parent, wrap presents, participate in holiday activities, and create new memories centered on hope rather than hardship. While children are laughing, creating, and shopping, their parents receive something equally valuable: time to rest, breathe, and simply be cared for.

Many organizations provide holiday gifts. Santa's Shack fills a different gap. We create moments of joy for families. These moments strengthen family bonds and become part of the healing journey.

Santa's Shack Wish List 2026

---

Revive & Thrive: A Wellness Experience for Staff
Revive & Thrive empowers those who care for survivors by providing wellness experiences, practical self-care tools, and meaningful connection to reduce burnout and build resilience. It is a trauma-informed wellness program that provides self-care education, restorative experiences, and practical stress-management tools for professionals serving survivors of domestic violence. By addressing burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma, the program helps caregivers build resilience, prioritize their well-being, and continue providing high-quality support to those they serve.

---

Sign Up to Volunteer NOW! 

All links and other resources can be found here:

- All Links for volunteer opportunities, events, and more! 

- Hagar's Heart Official Website

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @hagarsheart!