Where Compassion Meets Purpose
Guardian Angels began with a calling — a deep, personal mission to serve, protect, and uplift young lives. Founded by Delaune Radin, a former biology teacher and award-winning, state-competitive basketball coach, Guardian Angels Residential Treatment Center was born out of a lifetime of leadership, care, and an unwavering belief in the power of second chances.
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After retiring from a successful career in education and coaching, Ms. Radin opened a daycare, continuing her passion for working with children. But it was in 2005, with a heart for youth in crisis, that she felt called to do more. She founded Guardian Angels in Acres Homes, Houston — a safe, healing-centered home for young girls in the foster care system who had experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect.
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Driven by her own journey and inspired by the love and guidance of her personal “guardian angels” — Aunt Thelma and Coach Karen McKenna — Ms. Radin dedicated two full years to studying the foster care system, state licensing requirements, and therapeutic program development. She visited residential centers across Texas, learning firsthand how to serve children with the highest levels of need.
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On April 2, 2007, Guardian Angels welcomed its first two residents, supported by a small team of three staff members. Since then, the vision has grown — but the heart has remained the same.
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Our Growth
By 2017, Guardian Angels had grown to a team of 25 and had provided trauma-informed care and support to over 500 young ladies, ages 13–18, from across the state of Texas. The original two homes were named in honor of Ms. Radin’s real-life angels: “Aunt Thelma” and “Coach Karen.” At full capacity, the homes could care for 24 residents — and due to the critical needs in Child Protective Services, Guardian Angels operated at near full capacity year-round.
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Recognizing the growing demand and her enduring commitment to serve, Ms. Radin led a four-year expansion beginning in 2018. As of Spring 2022, Guardian Angels has expanded to a campus of four residential homes, now capable of supporting 24–32 young women at a time — each home designed to offer safety, structure, love, and a path to healing.