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Women's Shelter Program Overview & History
The Women's Shelter Program began in 1977 by offering "safe houses" for victims of domestic violence. When it was incorporated in 1979, the concern with the need for emergency shelter was obvious in the name which was chosen for the organization: Women's Crisis House. Soon it was realized that, as essential as crisis services are, extensive support services are also necessary in order for the victim to escape from a violent life. Also, all clients are not in need of identical services.
Therefore, the Women's Shelter Program changed its name to reflect the expansion of these services. Consequently, it has two distinct programs. The first program, the Emergency Shelter Program, consists of the safe house which provides safe shelter, food and clothing to victims and their children who are in immediate danger due to domestic violence. The Emergency Shelter Program also offers counseling to women and children, advocacy with legal services and social service organizations, and case management in order to help the residents establish violence-free and economically feasible lives after they leave the shelter.
The second program, geared toward domestic violence victims who are not in immediate danger, consists of support services. There are two main support services. The Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence (CADV) is a sliding-scale counseling center which offers individual and/or group counseling to any family member affected by domestic violence. CADV also offers some group counseling and accepts Victims of Crime (VOC) funds. There are several groups offered at different sites throughout the county. CADV offers a group for Spanish speaking women and lesbians experiencing domestic violence. Groups for children, teens, and women are also offered.
The second support service is the Legal Program, which consists of a Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Order Clinic. Potential clients of this program must meet certain income guidelines.
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