Houston Area Women's Center, Inc.

Hotline Services - we operate two 24-hour hotlines (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault), and each provides supportive crisis counseling, access to shelter, agency referrals, and information for survivors, friends, family and volunteers. Hospital accompaniment lets survivors know they are not alone in the aftermath of violence. Survivors and loved ones need to know their options, get accurate information and nonjudgmental support to gain back a sense of control. Our hotline counselor ensure that happens.

Community Education Services -We provide community members with information to assist them in creating change and inspiring others to help prevent and eliminate domestic and sexual violence. We inform the community of ways in which they can effect needed social change through volunteering their time, donating items or services and voting to improve laws. In 2008, we reached over 30,000 community members with much needed information about domestic and sexual violence and helped engage them in an effort to end it.

Communications Department- The communications team at the Women’s Center ensures all written material in manuals, brochures, curriculum and the website is accurate and up-to-date. In addition to the educational materials, the communications staff develops and coordinates public awareness campaigns and utilizes the media to educate the community at large on the issues of domestic and sexual violence. We added two new partners in our quest to get the word out. The Women’s Center collaborated with Univision’s Director of Community Affairs to script and create a domestic violence public awareness announcement. In 2008, the Gospel Truth Magazine asked the Women’s Center to write guest articles for the bi-monthly print and online magazine. The articles focused on our events and our issues, such as the need for faith-based organizations to improve their methods of addressing domestic violence within their congregation.

Training Services helps professionals increase their comfort and ability to provide a knowledgeable, empathetic, and respectful response to survivors. We also provide training for all of our staff, interns, and volunteers to ensure that our work with clients is based on a strong foundation of understanding of the issues and a desire to support and empower survivors to make their own decisions. We train nurses, residents, social workers and students who are looking towards a career in the healthcare field.

All services are provided to ensure each individual and family receives the resources and case advocacy necessary to move forward with their lives. Our Shelter & Support Services provide comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence. The day-to-day operations of the shelter are crucial in meeting the basic daily needs and the safety and security of all clients.  Case advocacy - helping connect individuals to the community Career counseling and assistance -creating self-sufficiency Communal living - making living together easier Counseling - available during and after their shelter stay Children’s enrichment programs - building fun back into life On-site daycare - removing a major barrier to economic sustainability   All services are provided to ensure each individual and family receives the resources and case advocacy necessary to transition from our emergency shelter within 90 days.

Counseling & Advocacy Services- Counseling staff provide essential services to adult and child survivors of domestic and sexual violence in both group and individual sessions. Like all of our services there is no charge to the client. Each week we offer 35 support groups for domestic and sexual assault survivors. Our groups serve adult and child survivors of domestic and sexual assault and/or sexual abuse, and witnesses to domestic violence. We also serve friends and family of adult survivors of sexual violence and the non-offending parents or caregivers of child survivors of sexual assault. Advocacy services include information, resources and referrals so clients can navigate the network of available services. 
 
Housing Services- Housing advocates provide housing information, referrals, and advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The Expanded Housing Program provides residential clients up to one year of rental and utility assistance. This program offers comprehensive case management focusing on budgeting, life skills, and the coordination of necessary resources to help clients reach self-sufficiency. Our scattered-site transitional housing allows clients to find housing in the area of Houston that works best for them and/or their family. This program is unique in that it provides financial assistance to clients pursuing educational and career goals in an effort to become self-sufficient.   

Children's Court Services- Court Advocates help families whose children have experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse and other acts of violence and children who are witnesses to such acts as they participate in the Criminal Justice System. Our services including counseling, advocacy, case updates, referrals, court orientation and accompaniment, are provided to the children and their non-offending family members. Our goal is to empower children and families as they seek justice, reduce their current trauma and prevent re-victimization often experienced by survivors when accessing the criminal justice system.