New Updates
On December 7th 2020 the first Room2Hope was LAUNCHED! VISIT GALLERY 1
The transformed Adult and Child Victim WAITING Rooms in the DA’s Office were revealed at a Press Conference at the Hays Government Center. The subsequent Media coverage has been stellar and very rewarding. We hope you enjoy reading some of the Press coverage BELOW.On April 26th 2021 Room2Hope transformed the first Victim INTERVIEW Room in the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.
VISIT GALLERY 2.And on June 16th 2021 Room2Hope’s Founder was the Keynote Speaker at the Texas Chief Deputies Association (TCDA) Conference in College Station. Being able to reach this impressive audience with hundreds of Chief Deputies in attendance was indeed an honor. The Room2Hope Mission is now seeded across all 254 Texas Counties!
On March 4th 2022 The San Marcos Lions Club honored the Founder of Room2Hope with a Grant that will help fuel future Room2Hope efforts. Sincere THANKS to all LIONS who make such a remarkable difference to our Community! And the Sheriff’s Office delivered their annual gifts to the Room2Hope Victim’s Waiting Room - see pics below!
Denise Fonseca - Inspirational Speaker
‘OUT OF THE BLUE’
Denise is South African by birth, a US citizen for the past 21 years, and since 2014, a proud resident of Hays County, Texas.
Denise enjoyed a 35-year career working with multi-national corporations across 48 different countries. Some of her favorite projects include partnering with the International Olympic Committee to shape the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games, and creating global Christmas advertising for The Coca-Cola Company. Another career highlight was serving as Brand Consultant for Sir Richard Branson, based out of London and Geneva.
Texas holds an extraordinary place in Denise’s heart. It was here that ‘The Men and Women in Blue’ from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office saved her life, and where she ultimately won Justice. Since receiving a second chance at Life, Denise talks, by invitation, about her personal of experience of, and insights into, Policing Excellence.
On March 4th 2022, the Founder of Room2Hope, Denise Fonseca, received a generous GRANT from the San Marcos Lions Club. The check was presented by Lions President Dennis Gutierrez.
The amazing Lions event was followed by a visit to the Victim’s Waiting Room in the Hays County DA’s Office. Here representatives from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office handed over new toys and supplies for 2022. Since it’s inception in 2019 the HCSO have been loyal and enthusiastic supporters of Room2Hope.
Present for the handover of Toys and Snacks for Victims of Violent Crime were:
- The Room2Hope champions from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office = Lieutenant Dennis Gutierrez, Deputy Mark Andrews and Deputy Bruce Harlan.
- Maggie Avalos, Lead Victim Assistance Coordinator in the DA’s Office, received these much needed gifts with such dignity and joy. The headphones were a BIG HIT (well done Dennis!) as they will enable young Victims to quietly listen to audio while they wait to testify in court. Dori Gilbreath, Victim Assistant Coordinator, is always ready to lend a hand. Despite being almost 9 months pregnant she enthusiastically helped store the snacks and find a home for the toys.
- For Denise Fonseca, Room2Hope Founder, this was a remarkably happy day.
”I am humbled by the generosity of the HCSO and filled with Gratitude for their undying support of R2H” - Denise
Commissioners, DA Asked For ‘Room 2 Hope’ For County Violent Crime Victims
On Tuesday, the Hays County Commissioners Court received a presentation from Denise Fonseca regarding ‘Room 2 Hope.’
Room2Hope Supports Those Facing Violent Offenders Before Trial
On December 7, Fonseca and county officials will host a launch event and room tour for regional media, who are invited to attend beginning at 10 AM that Monday.
Hays County, Room2Hope Celebrate Victim Waiting Room Renovation Completion
On Monday, Room2Hope and Hays County held an honorary ribbon cutting to celebrate the renovation of the Victims Waiting Rooms in the Hays County District Attorney’s Office.
Abuse survivor transforms victim waiting rooms in Hays County
Waiting rooms aren’t always the most comfortable or welcoming places to be. A nonprofit is working to change that for victims of violence waiting to testify.
Room2Hope transforms Hays County courthouse waiting rooms into place of solace for victims
Earlier this year, [Denise] Fonseca founded Room2Hope, a nonprofit initiative to convert worn, shabby victim waiting rooms in courthouses into more comforting, hope-filled spaces that could bring some comfort to people facing violent offenders during criminal trials.
As witnesses worry about testimony, Room2Hope tries to improve morale with renovated waiting rooms
[Denise Fonseca’s] nonprofit organization Room2Hope makes its debut with two renovated rooms at the Hays County Government Center to help those about to give testimony “feel calm and centered.”
Providing A Safe Space For Victims
Denise Fonseca recalls sitting in tired, worn out rooms at the Hays County Government Center in 2018 and 2019. She was a victim of domestic abuse and spent time in those waiting rooms preparing to tell her story.
Cam Dodson teams up with Austin Huns and Room2hope for community service effort
AG first-year player Cameron Dodson volunteered for non-profit initiative Room2Hope to help renovate worn, shabby victim waiting rooms in the greater Austin area courthouses into comfortable, hope-filled spaces.
Providing a safe space for victims
Room2Hope contributes comforting waiting rooms to government center or victims waiting to testify.
Providing a safe space for victims
Denise Fonseca recalls sitting in tired, worn out rooms at the Hays County Government Center in 2018 and 2019.