Womensafe Inc
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Every minute in the United States, 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner (NCADV), and Northeast Ohio is not exempt from this statistic. The Ohio Attorney General documented 4,646 victims of domestic violence in WomenSafe's primary service area of Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga County (2019). However, during a 10-year period, approx. 582,000 yearly domestic violence incidents were not reported to police, underscoring the true breadth of domestic violence (Bureau of Justice Statistics). Without intervention, children that observe/experience abuse are 3x more likely to repeat the cycle of domestic violence and 50% more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol (Childhood DV Association). In the long term, victims are often plagued with addiction, chronic depression, PTSD, heart disease and other health conditions (Office for Women’s Health, 2017). WomenSafe aims to reduce the incidence of domestic violence, which destroys families and threatens public health and safety.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Emergency Shelter
WomenSafe offers shelter to survivors of domestic violence from northeastern Ohio. The shelter is a safe and comforting environment where victims begin to heal, receive counseling, consider alternatives and develop goals for an abuse-free life. All basic necessities are provided to residents. Resident Care Workers and volunteers provide 24-hour support to shelter residents to meet their individual needs while residing at the shelter.
Emergency shelter is available to any victim regardless of gender. Please note that although the primary resident of WomenSafe is a Geauga County resident, services do not stop at the county line.
24-hour hotline COPEline
1-888-285-5665
By calling this 24-hour support and crisis management hotline, victims of domestic violence receive support, access to shelter and services, and information and referrals to community resources. The hotline is also recommended for friends and family who need more information about domestic violence, available services and how to help a person in need.
Case Management
WomenSafe’s case management service guarantees each individual client is offered assistance in developing and accomplishing goals based upon individual needs. Case management services assist individuals in gaining access to a full range of services available to them in the community. The goal of this program is to ensure that clients are linked with needed services such as housing, income assistance, safety, physical and behavioral health needs, and vocational needs. WomenSafe provides an array of options and referral delivered by a community based, mobile, multidisciplinary team of professional and paraprofessional staff members, as well as trained volunteers. If transportation is an issue, WomenSafe staff will assist with appointments throughout Geauga County.
Counseling, Art Therapy, and EMDR
Counseling is available for adults and children whether they have resided in shelter or not. Counseling consists of a series of structured, face-to-face sessions, that work toward the attainment of goals as identified in the ISP. Appropriately licensed professionals provide individual counseling services. Clinical staff provide individual counseling in a secure location to any person victimized by domestic violence. Counselors aid survivors in exploring new alternatives for living.
WomenSafe’s cognitive-based framework is to help victims understand that they are not to blame for the abuse, and that it is likely the abuse will continue if they return to the abuser. WomenSafe also has five counselors trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, (EMDR), a very promising psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories
Art therapy provides a non-threatening approach to process feelings and issues surrounding family violence. Art allows survivors to express a range of emotions through creative self-expression. The registered art therapist offers this service to adults and children ages five and older.
Peer Support Group
A 10-week support group, supervised by a licensed mental health professional, provides victims of domestic violence a safe place to gain strength and support from others in similar situations. The sessions are designed to recognize, express and accept feelings related to experiencing an abusive relationship and provide information about the dynamics of domestic violence. For many survivors, a crucial part of the healing process is the support and sense of connection felt by sharing with other survivors. Some victims of domestic violence attend support groups almost immediately and some wait for years. Others are still in abusive situations, while several have found safe, independent living. It is natural to feel a bit uneasy going to the first support group. CALL 440-286-7154 ext. 237 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Empowered Parent Program
An evidenced based, parent mentoring program that utilizes trauma-informed care and real life situations to assist parents wherever they're at in life.
Court Advocacy
Court advocates accompany survivors of domestic violence through the court process, explaining victim rights entitlements such as protection orders. Advocates provide crisis intervention and emotional support as victims seek assistance from the judicial system.
Donations and Relocation Assistance
Any client who uses WomenSafe services is offered household items, clothing, food, hygiene items and other needs to assist with the transition to safe, independent living. Furniture, household items, food and clothing provided to clients is generously donated by members of our community.
Aftercare
After addressing the immediate needs of clients, WomenSafe staff continues to provide survivors with long-term support in living a life free from violence.
Community Education
To build community awareness, WomenSafe offers presentations to the general public. Schools, businesses, agencies, churches, and senior and youth organizations learn about abuse-free dating, dynamics of domestic violence, date rape, elder abuse, effects of domestic violence on children, how to assess domestic violence and how to help someone who is being abused.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of bed nights (nights spent in shelter)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Related Program
Emergency Shelter
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Due to COVID, our shelter nights numbers decreased in 2020 and 2021. However, with restrictions continuing to lift, WomenSafe anticipates this number to return to numbers seen in 2019 and earlier.
Number of direct care staff who received training in trauma informed care
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Related Program
Emergency Shelter
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
All WomenSafe staff members are trained in trauma-informed care.
Number of people who received presentations on healthy relationships
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Preteens
Related Program
Community Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
WomenSafe's Healthy Relationships Program targets local middle and high school students. Due to COVID, the # of youth reached was down significantly in FY21. We expect this # to increase this year.
Number of children served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Numbers encompass children who have resided in WomenSafe's Emergency Shelter, counseling, participated in outreach programming, and were served through the Adopt-a-Family program.
Number of clients assisted with legal needs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults
Related Program
Court Advocacy
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
WomenSafe's Court Advocacy Program assists clients through the justice system process. Due to COVID, numbers were down in FY21, but these numbers are expected to increase to pre-pandemic levels.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
WomenSafe's four year strategic plan outlines the overarching goals for the agency:
Goal 1: Ensure the financial success and long-term sustainability of WomenSafe.
Goal 2: Provide top quality, mission-related programs and services, both to help prevent domestic violence and to address its consequences.
Goal 3: Ensure that WomenSafe engages, supports, and develops the staff, board, and volunteers it needs.
Goal 4: Ensure that WomenSafe has the facilities and capacity to address current and future needs.
Goal 5: Position WomenSafe as a premier domestic violence shelter.
These strategic plan goals guide WomenSafe's program development and growth.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Goal 1:
Objective 1.1: Develop a financial planning model and create a solid business plan to address needs and foster organizational growth.
Objective 1.3: Develop and implement a new fundraising plan to generate contributed income.
Goal 2:
Objective 2.1: Inventory and assess current programs and services
2.1.6: Create a dashboard to monitor and evaluate programs and services on an ongoing basis.
2.1.2: Develop criteria for evaluating current programs and services (e.g., quality, effectiveness, community need, mission-related impact, future sustainability, etc.).
Objective 2.2: Identify programmatic interests and unmet needs/gaps in the community (or “region”) and respond appropriately.
Goal 3:
Objective 3.2: Foster and provide opportunities for the development and growth of staff, board, and volunteers.
3.2.1: Provide appropriate supervision and performance management for staff.
3.2.4: Offer opportunities for staff to gain needed training and/or professional development, including training related to the use of volunteers and ways of ensuring the volunteers’ immersion in the culture.
3.2.5: Provide needed support to maintain positive morale and help staff avoid compassion fatigue.
3.2.9: Encourage board members to collectively assess knowledge and performance of the board as a whole.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Since 2006, WomenSafe has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (Adults, Adolescents and Children) and Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults, Adolescents and Children). In 2018, WomenSafe added additional certifications of Community Housing: Mental Health (Adults, Adolescents and Children) and Governing Standards. This accreditation outcome represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to a rehabilitation facility and demonstrates WomenSafe’s commitment to excellence in caring for our clients.
WomenSafe is also certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, validating WomenSafe’s commitment to best practices and trauma-informed care. In order to better serve the LGBTQI+ community, WomenSafe became SafeZone certified, allowing advocates to be trained in particular problems they face and armed with solutions that this underserved population needs to thrive.
WomenSafe started and convenes the Northeast Ohio Domestic Violence Task Force. Members include the local Sheriff and Police Departments, Prosecutors’ Offices, Victim Assistance programs, schools, and other social service agencies. The collaboration allows relationships to form with other service providers to increase survivors’ access to community resources. WomenSafe and other members provide domestic violence advocacy and linkage trainings at quarterly meetings. These trainings provide survivors with a coordinated community response. When requested, WomenSafe will also provide presentations on domestic violence education, awareness, and responses to community groups and agencies.
WomenSafe aims to ensure the financial success and long-term sustainability of the agency. There is continued focus on diversification of funds to facilitate program development and sustainability. WomenSafe’s Development Team regularly researches new funding sources through foundations, trusts, corporations, and government agencies to meet the needs of our agency.
WomenSafe’s reputation has contributed to a long list of loyal monetary and in-kind donors and volunteers. WomenSafe strives to reduce costs and utilize volunteer/in-kind support wherever possible.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
WomenSafe’s primary goal is the elimination of domestic violence from our communities throughout Northeast Ohio. Pursuant to this goal, WomenSafe will continue to provide top quality, mission-related programs and services to both help prevent domestic violence and address its consequences while aiming to reduce the incidence of domestic abuse and making the community aware of what help is available for families or individuals experiencing this trauma.
Over the past 42 years, WS has helped thousands of survivors of domestic violence safely escape and heal from abuse while providing them with the support and resources they need to live a self-sufficient life free from abuse.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Womensafe Inc
Board of directorsas of 11/03/2022
Jerry McCalmont
Falls Stamping LLC
Term: 2021 - 2023
Jerry McCalmont
Falls Stamping & Welding
Beth Donaldon
Mars Electric
Joe Rea
Regal Financial
Ross Babbitt
Attorney, Private Practice
Cindy Beasley Grant
Educator
Morgan Benson
Academic Advisor
Sheri Borovitz-Linda
Sales/Retail Consultant
Cassandra Brown
Lawrence Stephen Partners
Kristen-Elise DePizzo
Benesch LLP
Sister Jacquelyn Gusdane
Sisters of Notre Dame
Tami Kowit
Community Advocate
Sarah Liston
Swagelok
Bethany Matthews
Community Advocate
Kimberly Oliver
Community Advocate
Tina Salminen
BDO, Inc.
Tameka Taylor
Compass Consulting Services, LLC
Yvonne Delgado Thomas
Fine Arts Association
Chariss Williams
Lifetime Fitness/Jewish Community Center
Michele Barksdale
Community Advocate
Cynthia Danko
Case Western Reserve University
Timothy Garton
Remax Results
Andy Kabat
Haber, Polk, Kabat, LLP
Kim Scharf
SITE Centers
Roe Green
Roe Green Foundation
Joseph Rea
Regal Financial
Christina Salminen
BDO USA, LLP
Kim Scharf
SITE Centers Corp.
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 04/12/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.