Women’s Center and Shelter

Pittsburgh, PA

Pillar: Charitable Giving

Mission

Our current mission is to strengthen our ability to meet the individual and evolving needs of those affected by domestic violence by investing in the growth of our people, deepening community engagement, and amplifying the voices of all survivors. We are striving to achieve these objectives through initiatives such as enhancing our training and HR infrastructure, modifying, and expanding our programs to better meet client needs, and maintaining an Equity & Action Collaborative of staff and Board members and a Diversity Committee to address racial equity at all levels of our agency. Our values, which spell out SUCCESS, are Safety, Uplifting Others, Compassion, Courage, Equity, Survivor-Centered Advocacy, and Stewardship.

Vision

We exist to end domestic violence and create safe spaces for help, healing, and hope.

Describe what this organization does to serve its local community.

At Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S) we are advocates, grounded in fostering a community of safety, healing, and empowerment for anyone affected by domestic violence. Founded in 1974 by Ellen Berliner and Anne Steytler as one of the first six domestic violence programs in the country, WC&S has been a leader in advocacy for survivors of domestic violence in Allegheny County, PA for nearly 50 years. WC&S offers support to more than 7,500 individuals each year through Emergency Shelter, a Children’s Advocacy Program, Civil Law Project, Hotline Services, Immediate Needs Coordination, Legal Advocacy, Wellness Programs (therapy and support groups), Prevention and Outreach, and more. What started with three beds, three couches, three sleeping bags, and one crib has grown into a comprehensive program that serves all domestic violence survivors through personalized programs and services designed to keep them safe. WC&S engages on a deeper level through systems advocacy in the community on behalf of survivors and their children.
WC&S serves victims and survivors of DV including adults and children regardless of age, race, nationality, religion, sexuality, or gender identity; loved ones, friends, and colleagues/employers who want to support them; and, professionals, members of the medical community, students, and community members who receive educational programming and training from WC&S. Those who use abusive behaviors are educated through our MENS Groups (Men Embracing Non-Violence and Safety), with most participants mandated by the court to attend.
Presently, WC&S is the largest agency for all survivors of IPV/DV in Allegheny County, and the second largest in the state. WC&S is the only local program with its own Civil Law Project, battering intervention program, and dedicated teams of staff serving refugees, immigrants, and limited English speakers (RIL Team) and families involved in the child welfare system. The Immediate Needs Coordination (INC) program provides support for basic needs— safety planning, emotional support, and emergency financial assistance – to WC&S’ non-resident clients (i.e., clients who are seeking counseling, advocacy, and legal services as well as those who have exited Emergency Shelter). The INC Advocates and Supervisor assist survivors when applying for public benefits, seeking assistance with utilities, securing childcare, and obtaining financial support for school enrollment/regular attendance, and other necessities.

If this organization wins the first place $10,000 grant for your category, how will funds be used?

Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S) is dedicated to providing comprehensive support services to survivors of domestic violence (DV) and their children, helping them to navigate through incredibly challenging times. We are excited at the possibility of winning the first place $10,000 grant for our category from the GBU Foundation and the Community Grant Awards Program, which will enable us to refresh the technology infrastructure within our Children’s Advocacy Program (CAP) and Onsite Computer Lab.
The Children’s Advocacy Program (CAP) helps child survivors of DV and their mothers to heal from trauma by meeting their basic needs (such as medical care and school access), providing behavioral health services, parenting support, and offering recreation and educational activities. We partner with community agencies to provide services and activities that facilitate healing and healthy communication for children and their mothers. WC&S also has a Children, Youth, and Families program to serve individuals whose cases involve both DV and child abuse. CAP’s services provide a mother with time to engage in self-care, attend support groups, court hearings, job interviews, mental health and physical health appointments, house tours and housing appointments, and more. We also keep children and youth engaged, entertained, and educated while in shelter, and assist children in working through and understanding personal trauma. In addition, we provide specialized advocacy for children and teens working with WC&S. A Children’s Counselor is available to provide therapeutic support for children of all ages who have gone through difficult situations and trauma related to domestic violence.
By investing in technology updates for the Children’s Advocacy Program, we aim to achieve several positive outcomes:
– Enhanced Learning Environment: Updated computers will grant children access to modern educational resources, enriching their learning experiences, and supporting their academic development despite the challenges they are facing.
– Increased Engagement: Modern computing resources will make learning and interactive activities more engaging for children and teens, creating a positive and stimulating environment that encourages growth and healing.
– Opportunities for Normalcy: Access to computers for recreational purposes will provide children and teens with moments of joy and a sense of normalcy, helping them cope with the difficulties they encounter in their daily lives.
– Increased Efficiency and Effectiveness: New computers for CAP team members working with children and teens will assist in creating a more streamlined workflow, including data input. This will allow us to best work with each family on their individualized goal plans.
The Onsite Computer Lab allows WC&S’ resident and non-resident clients to enjoy a safe space in which to search for housing, work on a resumé, complete job or school applications, or simply keep in touch with friends and family via email or social media. A safe computer space/lab is especially important considering how many survivors are cyber-stalked by their ex-partners. By investing in technology updates for the Onsite Computer Lab, we will be able to upgrade the computers in the lab, thus enhancing the experience of survivors in completing a variety of tasks that will move them forward in their healing journeys, whatever they may be.
The proposed initiative to refresh the technology infrastructure of CAP and the Onsite Computer Lab represents a critical step in our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive care and support to adult and child survivors affected by domestic violence. By ensuring that our technology is up to date, we can best fulfill our main goals of creating a nurturing and empowering environment, helping survivors and their families to build new lives, free from abuse.