Organization: YWCA PIERCE COUNTY
Mission: TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH SAFETY, HEALING AND EMPOWERMENT
Activities: SUPPORT SHELTER & 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE: SINCE 1976, THE YWCA HAS OPERATED THE LARGEST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER IN PIERCE COUNTY. OUR SAFE, FREE SHELTER PROVIDES BASIC NEEDS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN FOR UP TO 90 DAYS. EVERY FAMILY HAS THEIR OWN APARTMENT AND PETS ARE WELCOME. WHILE IN SHELTER, ADULTS AND THEIR CHILDREN ACCESS INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION, COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, LEGAL SERVICES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, AND 24-HOUR ON-SITE ADVOCACY. OUR 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE OFFERS SAFETY PLANNING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND RESOURCES TO CONCERNED FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO MIGHT CALL. 94 RESIDENTS SERVED, 119 CHILDREN SERVED. CRISIS HOTLINE CALLS RECEIVED: 4,495. BECAUSE OF THE DIGNITY IT PROVIDES, OUR SHELTER WAS FEATURED IN A NATIONAL EXHIBIT TITLED "BY THE PEOPLE, DESIGNING A BETTER AMERICA" AT THE COOPER HEWITT DESIGN SMITHSONIAN IN NEW YORK CITY.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM: YWCA CHILDREN'S PROGRAM EQUIPS CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH TOOLS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. CHILDREN RECEIVE FOOD, CLOTHING, RESPITE CARE, INDIVIDUAL THERAPY, ACCESS TO WEEKLY AGE APPROPRIATE THERAPEUTIC GROUPS, SAFETY PLANNING, OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM, AND CONNECTIONS TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES. WE AIM TO HELP OUR YOUNG CLIENTS DEVELOP HEALTHY BODIES AND MINDS WHILE GROWING INTO STABLE ADULTHOOD. HOURS OF RESPITE CARE OFFERED: 699. 118 CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED CURRICULUM BASED ACTIVITES FOR A TOTAL OF 1302 HOURS DURING THE YEAR.
LEGAL SERVICES: THE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM HELPS ADULT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN IN NEED OF CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CREATES DAUNTING CHALLENGES - EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL - FOR VICTIMS ATTEMPTING TO USE THE LEGAL SYSTEM TO MAINTAIN SAFETY AND CREATE STABILITY. OUR PROGRAM ASSISTS WITH PROTECTIVE ORDERS, PARENTING PLANS, DIVORCES, SEPARATIONS, AND OTHER FAMILY LAW ISSUES. ADULTS SERVED: 718, CHILDREN SERVED: 1,174. LEGAL ADVOCATES PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 8,556 HOURS OF ADVOCACY AND CLIENTS RECEIVED 1,108 HOURS OF ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION.
NTEE category: Human Services
Secondary category: Crime & Legal-Related