The Women's Safe House

Youth Development Program - $168,309 - The Program is designed to meet the needs of infants and children and youth to age 18 who have witnessed and sometimes experienced abuse in their homes. Our state-of-the-art program provides a comforting and nurturing environment where children can learn alternatives to violent behavior, improve their self-esteem, and learn positive ways of expressing themselves. Youth Development Advocates work alongside parents and their case manager to provide children with the support they need to heal from their trauma and abuse. In 2023, 188 children and youth benefitted from youth development services that consist of intervention and prevention activities. There are weekly support groups, respite hours, field trips, holiday parties, and age-appropriate play. . HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM - The Program provides advocacy and assistance to women as they transition into housing. This program offers case management and advocacy related to finding, obtaining, and maintaining safe and stable housing and may also provide financial assistance when available. The Housing Stability Program has been carefully designed to reduce the risk of these women experiencing homelessness and/or returning to a life of abuse. Since February 2024, the Housing Stability Program has grown from providing five families with year-long rental assistance to serving more than 25 families with year-long rental assistance. . VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - $38,302 - Volunteers make a difference at The Womens Safe House every day. Volunteer efforts include, but are not limited to, serving on the Board of Directors, organizing fundraising and special events, organizing clothing and school supply drives, assisting with in-kind donations, answering crisis calls, providing child care, providing clerical support, or completing one-day projects such as painting residential rooms or helping with the grounds. Practicum students, interns and community service students play a major volunteer role at The Womens Safe House. Volunteers are recruited through public speaking and outreach at schools and universities, churches, civic groups, business and corporate organizations, healthcare, social welfare agencies and United Way. In 2023, 330 volunteers supported our mission, providing more than 3,000 hours of support for our programs. Our volunteer program is certified through the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Since the services of our volunteers generally do not require specialized skills, their value is not recorded in the audited financial statements because no objective basis is available to measure the value. An estimate of the value of such services is not included in the 990 per IRS instructions. TWSH generally pays for services requiring specific expertise. . COMMUNITY EDUCATION - $36,758 - The Womens Safe House remains committed to keeping our community informed about the nature and dynamics of domestic and sexual abuse and dispelling myths that perpetuate violence against women. Trained staff and volunteers are available to speak publicly about and against domestic violence. Information is disseminated through public speaking, the agencys quarterly newsletter, annual report, and other materials.