WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE INC

WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE IS THE LEAD OPERATOR OF THE PHILADELPHIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE - A CITY-WIDE STREAMLINED POINT OF ACCESS FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION, SAFETY PLANNING, REFERRALS AND INTAKE TO THE EMERGENCY SHELTERS. THIS 24-HOUR HOTLINE RECEIVED AROUND 9,022 CALLS IN FY25.WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE ALSO OPERATES THE ONLY EMERGENCY SHELTERS IN PHILADELPHIA FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE TWO FACILITIES, COMPRISED OF A TOTAL OF 200 BEDS, ARE A REFUGE TO MORE THAN 1,400 ADULTS AND CHILDREN EACH YEAR WHO HAVE HAD TO FLEE THEIR HOMES TO ESCAPE ABUSE. THE EMERGENCY SHELTERS ARE UNIQUELY EQUIPPED WITH 24-HOUR SECURITY, CONFIDENTIAL LOCATIONS, AND A CONTINUUM OF ON-SITE CARE, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPY. THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES TEAM AT WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE CARES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL AND ACADEMIC NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S YOUNGEST CLIENTS. EARLY LEARNING CENTERS FOR CHILDREN AGED 1-5 YEARS ARE LOCATED AT EACH OF THE EMERGENCY SHELTERS, AS WELL AS SOJOURNER HOUSE, AND OFFER EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMMING TO HELP CHILDREN ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. OPEN EACH WEEKDAY FROM 9 AM TO NOON AND AGAIN FROM 1PM TO 3PM, ACTIVITIES VARY, BUT MAY INCLUDE CIRCLE TIME, STORY TIME, COMPUTER-BASED LEARNING, ARTS AND CRAFTS, PAINTING, MUSIC THERAPY, MOVEMENT THERAPY, FREE PLAY, FIELD TRIPS, AND COMMUNITY WALKS. THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER OFFERS WELL-DESERVED PEACE OF MIND TO CLIENTS BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A SAFE PLACE TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN WHEN THEY NEED TO ATTEND HOUSING OR LEGAL APPOINTMENTS, JOB INTERVIEWS, OR PERHAPS JUST NEED SOME QUIET TIME TO THEMSELVES.

THE WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE LEGAL CENTER IS AMONG THE FIRST IN THE NATION DEDICATED TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND CONSISTS OF A NEARLY 30-MEMBER TEAM OF EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS, COURT ADVOCATES AND TELEPHONE COUNSELORS. THE WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE LEGAL CENTER EMPOWERS WOMEN AND MEN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED TO NAVIGATE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM BY PROVIDING FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS SEEKING PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDERS, CHILD CUSTODY AND/OR SUPPORT. LAST YEAR, THIS PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AFFILIATED WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE LEGAL CENTER, INC. SERVED 3,029 INDIVIDUALSIN ADDITION TO ITS DIRECT SERVICES, THE LEGAL CENTER PIONEERS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO REACH VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND EXPAND ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES, INCLUDING: THE TELEPHONE OUTREACH PROJECT (TOP): A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGAL CENTER AND THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT, TOP PROVIDES FOLLOW-UP ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO HAVE CALLED 9-1-1 AND ARE AT HIGHEST RISK OF LETHALITY. "FAST TRACK" ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION PROGRAM: TO PROVIDE EARLY INTERVENTION AND REPRESENTATION FOR MORE VICTIMS, WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE HAS STATIONED STAFF ATTORNEYS IN THE TWO COURT ROOMS IN PHILADELPHIA WHERE PROTECTION FROM ABUSE CASES ARE HEARD, OPENING ACCESS LIKE NEVER BEFORE. FAST TRACK ATTORNEYS CAN REPRESENT CLIENTS ON THE SPOT, CONNECTING THEM WITH LEGAL COUNSEL DURING A CRITICAL TIME OF NEED.