S&Search & Support San Antonio
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About Search & Support San Antonio
When someone is missing, families need more than sympathy. Search & Support San Antonio provides free search, rescue, discovery, and recovery services, then stays with families through advocacy, outreach, training, and communication with authorities. It also focuses attention on missing persons, unsolved cases, domestic violence, and human trafficking, which makes the work feel both immediate and long-term. For donors, the appeal is simple: this is hands-on help for people in a crisis, with no charge attached.
What sets Search & Support San Antonio apart is how it stays useful after the search begins. Along with field work, it offers free age-progression photographs through volunteer forensic artists, helps families distribute missing person flyers, and builds a communication bridge between families and authorities. That mix gives families practical support while keeping attention on the case.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Free search, rescue, discovery, and recovery services
Provides free search, rescue, discovery and recovery services for families looking for missing loved ones, with each case reviewed individually.
Family support and communication bridge
Builds a communication bridge between families and authorities and provides relief and support to victims, their families, and involved law enforcement.
Advocacy and outreach events
Raises awareness of missing persons, victims of crimes, domestic violence, human trafficking, and unsolved cases through advocacy and outreach events.
Training and search readiness
Offers training in the field, Lost Person Behavior, NASAR training, FEMA training, TEEX Wide Area Search, CERT training, joint training with other SAR teams, stop the bleeding training, SAR-related online courses, certification classes, and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events training.
Free age-progression photography
Partners with forensic artists to offer free age progression photographs to missing adults and children.
Flyer distribution and community awareness support
Assists families in distributing missing person flyers and uses outreach events to share information and raise awareness.
About this work
Mission
We provide free search, rescue, discovery and recovery services to those who are missing their loved ones. We search for the missing, support their families, and raise awareness of human trafficking and unsolved cases.
Who they serve
Families of missing persons, victims of unsolved crimes, victims of domestic violence, and people affected by human trafficking
Their impact
- Gave out over 200 flyers at an outreach event on August 5, 2023.
How your donation helps
- Specialized search tools
- Updated technology
- Sonar equipment
- Dive equipment
- Essential supplies for organizing search operations
- Support for long-term case work
Need help?
How someone in need can access Search & Support San Antonio’s services.
A family representative must first file a missing person report with law enforcement in the city where the person was last seen. After that, the representative submits a request form and completes a questionnaire with the Case Intake Manager, and the case is reviewed individually. Services are free of charge.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.
We are here to serve our community.
You are not alone and we understand your pain.
We search the locations that others do not dare to search.
In the news
Recent independent coverage of this organization.
Events
National Missing Persons Day Greater San Antonio United
annualAnnual outreach event dedicated to families of missing persons and unsolved cases.
Honk for the Missing
annualAnnual event held to raise awareness and support families of missing loved ones.
Walking Boots and Heels 5K
annualCommunity walk and fundraiser to raise awareness for missing persons, domestic violence, and drug abuse.
Outreach Program Event
August 5, 2023Community outreach event that included flyer distribution and public engagement.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Search & Support San Antonio has shared.
Current needs
- Specialized search tools
- Updated technology
- Sonar equipment
- Dive equipment
- Essential supplies for search operations
Volunteer opportunities
- Field search volunteers
- Outreach event helpers
- Flyer distribution support
- Training participants
- Community awareness and vigil support
- Networking and partnership assistance
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Lifetime achievement award, Fort Sam Houston, for vice president and spokesperson Eric Herr, 2023
- Training and certification through FEMA, TEEX, NASAR, and CERT
In the media
- News 4 San Antonio, organizing a vigil in memory of Cecilia Huerta Gallegos
- KENS 5, six years after the disappearance of Amalia "Molly" Garza and the family’s search for answers
- San Antonio Express-News, family of missing San Antonio woman asking accused husband to take a lie detector test
- KENS 5, friends and family continuing to raise awareness in the disappearance of Bianca Carrasco
- News 4 San Antonio, annual Honk for the Missing event supporting families of missing loved ones
- Telemundo San Antonio, coverage of Cecilia Huerta Gallegos and family efforts to find her
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does a family ask for help?
A family representative submits a request form, then completes a questionnaire with the Case Intake Manager after a missing person report has been filed with law enforcement.
Are the search services free?
Yes. Search & Support San Antonio says its services are free of charge.
What kinds of cases does the organization focus on?
It focuses on missing persons cases that may involve danger, foul play, human trafficking, domestic violence, or other crimes, and it also supports families in unsolved cases.
What kinds of search methods may be used?
It depends on the case. The search may use unmanned aircraft, ground searchers, horses, K9 units, or other resources.
Does the organization provide support beyond field searches?
Yes. It also offers advocacy, outreach events, awareness campaigns, training, flyer distribution, and free age-progression photographs through partnering forensic artists.
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