Program areas at Ywca Pierce County
Support shelter & 24-hour crisis hotline: since 1976, the Ywca has operated the largest domestic violence shelter in Pierce County. Our safe, free shelter provides basic needs for adults and children for up to 90 days. Every family has their own apartment and pets are welcome. While in shelter, adults and their children access individualized case management, education, counseling, support groups, legal services, children's services, and 24-hour on-site advocacy. Our 24-hour crisis hotline offers safety planning to domestic violence victims and resources to concerned friends and family who might call. 90 residents served, 143 children served. Crisis hotline calls received: 1,824.
Legal services: the legal services program helps adult domestic violence victims and their children in need of civil legal assistance. Domestic violence creates daunting challenges - emotional and financial - for victims attempting to use the legal system to maintain safety and create stability. Our program assists with protective orders, parenting plans, divorces, separations, and other family law issues. Adults served: 307, children served: 484. Legal advocates provided a total of 4,382 hours of advocacy and clients received 2,337 hours of attorney and paralegal representation.
Children's program: Ywca children's program equips children who have experienced domestic violence with tools to promote healthy relationships. Children receive food, clothing, respite care, individual therapy, access to weekly age appropriate therapeutic groups, safety planning, opportunities to develop self-esteem, and connections to other community resources. We aim to help our young clients develop healthy bodies and minds while growing into stable adulthood. 169 children were provided 117 parent meetings and online group actvities for 72 hours.