West Women's and Children's Shelter

Over the last period West Women's and Children's Shelter has continued to prioritize the needs of survivors in emergency shelter providing shelter, food services, advocacy, case management, crisis line, emergency rental assistance, clothing access, essential resources, transportation assistance, life skills classes, and crisis intervention. 

In 2012, we served over 240 women and children with emergency housing resources, answered 4,423 crisis line calls, provided 2,770 child care hours, distributed 105 food boxes, and served 47,280 meals.  

One of the participants we served over the last reporting period, was a mother who had experienced years of domestic violence, chemical dependency, poverty, diagnosed mental health, and intergenerational poverty.  The mother "Lucy" was able to glean the skills through our domestic violence support groups separating her from her abusive husband.  With her new found independence she recognized the need for chemical dependency treatment to address her ongoing addiction needs. "Lucy" was separated from her 2 year old daughter due to the addiction and domestic violence issues, and through the support of her Advocate and a safe and stable living environment she was able to safely reunite with her child at shelter.  "Lucy" engaged in parenting support groups, life skills classes, addiction treatment, case management, and therapy during her stay at The West.  "Lucy" secured safe and permanent housing and recently moved into her long term permanent housing.  When "Lucy" left she was a completely changed woman than when she entered our doors, clean and sober, confident, independent, and with increased parenting skills.  The services of The West impacted two lives, both "Lucy's" and her daughter's, reuniting them with hope for the future.