Former foster child plans “5 million Round Rock campus to help kids from similar backgrounds – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Round Rock, Texas — A former foster child who navigated 10 different placements by age 16 now stands just $1.8 million short of a transformative $15 million campus designed to offer stability to vulnerable youth. Stacy Johnson founded Central Texas Table of Grace in 2014 after recognizing gaps in support for children removed from their homes. Her expansion project promises expanded housing and services in a comprehensive village setting.[1][2]
A Childhood Marked by Constant Change
Stacy Johnson entered the foster care system at age two. By the time she turned 16, she had moved through 10 placements, an experience she later described as deeply destabilizing. Today, at 43, Johnson is married and a mother, channeling that hardship into action for others.
Her motivation stems directly from those years. She recalled knowing that a staff-run facility would allow her to stay longer if she followed the rules. Johnson opened her nonprofit’s emergency shelter over a decade ago to fill a critical need in Central Texas.[1]
Building a Foundation with the Original Shelter
Central Texas Table of Grace began as a 13-bed emergency shelter for children ages 5 to 17 facing displacement. The facility also offers 10 apartments for young adults who have aged out of foster care. For years, it has provided temporary housing alongside essential support services.
Johnson’s hands-on approach has sustained operations through fundraising and community partnerships. Recent additions include a skills-training garage funded by a Lowe’s Hometown grant, which opened in November 2025 at 3825 Doris Lane. That space teaches automotive maintenance and business basics to teens and young adults, preparing them for independence.[3]
The Ambitious Campus Vision Takes Shape
The planned $15 million campus will anchor in Round Rock, featuring permanent on-site apartments expanding from 10 to 24 for young adults. A new 15,000-square-foot building will dedicate space to children from infants to 17, boosting beds from 13 to 32. This setup aims to minimize relocations and foster long-term community ties.
“What I’m trying to do is reduce the number of moves for these kids,” Johnson explained. The project, dubbed The Campus, includes supervised independent living programs like Grace365 alongside broader village elements for healing and growth. Groundbreaking for permanent facilities occurred near the new garage site this April.[1][4]
Fundraising Momentum Builds Toward Deadline
Donors have committed $13.2 million so far, leaving a narrow gap to the total. A pivotal $2 million challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation, announced in January, requires matching the remaining funds by mid-October. An anonymous $2 million gift jump-started the campus effort earlier.
Johnson views the challenge as a community call to action. “When foster youth have the right support and a real community, they don’t just survive, they thrive,” she stated on the nonprofit’s site. A current $50,000 matching pool doubles select contributions, heightening urgency.[5][2]
Johnson’s endeavor reflects a personal pledge turned public imperative. As Central Texas Table of Grace pushes past recent milestones, the campus promises a model for foster youth nationwide. Success here could redefine stability for generations facing similar uncertainties. For details, visit the organization’s website.[1]
