Young Women's Christian Assn. of St. Joseph

Survivor Support Services is our largest area of focus and includes emergency shelter, community support services and housing programs. Our organization operates a 24-hour crisis hotline and emergency shelter targeting individuals and families fleeing domestic or sexual violence. Shelter residents have access to an array of services including case management, advocacy services, specialized children’s program, support groups, life skills groups and individual counseling. Community support services include specialized services such as hospital advocacy, court advocacy, and law enforcement advocacy. Additional supportive services include individual therapy and outreach to survivors who are immigrants or living in rural areas. Our housing programs include short-term emergency financial assistance, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and permanent, supportive housing for survivors with disabilities.

Our Choices & Decisions program partners with St. Joseph School District and MWSU Athletics, offering an eight-week life skills program for students in the 7th grade. Program participants are paired with an MWSU student athlete mentor and meet weekly to discuss important issues and topics that affect them at school, home and with their peers. Our Healthy Teen Parents/Healthy Babies program serves pregnant and parenting teens ages 12-19. The goal is to provide stability and support to pregnant and parenting teens, so that they may reach their educational and/or work force goals. Lastly, our GRIT (Growing Resilient Independent Teens) Center provides recreational, educational, and supportive services to teens ages 12 – 19. The program utilizes a Positive Youth Development Model that focuses on building skills, assets and competencies of youth in the core areas of Connection, Confidence, Character, Competence, Contribution and Caring.