YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSN OF BIRMINGHAM

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FROM THE YWCA ARE JEFFERSON/BLOUNT/ST. CLAIR COUNTIES' ONLY MULTI-SERVICE PROGRAM FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS A 24-HOUR HOTLINE AND SECURE CONFIDENTIAL SHELTER AND COUNSELING, AS WELL AS A BROAD ARRAY OF SERVICES. THEY ARE:CHILDREN IN CRISIS (CIC) THIS WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUP IS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE WITNESSED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THEIR HOMES. TOPICS ADDRESSED INCLUDE HOW TO BE SAFE IN AN UNSAFE HOME, SELF-ESTEEM AND ANGER MANAGEMENT.FAMILY VIOLENCE CENTER AND OUR PLACE THE YWCA OPERATES A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER AT A CONFIDENTIAL LOCATION FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN FLEEING ABUSIVE HOMES. COUNSELORS HELP THESE WOMEN MAKE SAFETY PLANS, OBTAIN JOBS OR JOB TRAINING, AND WORK TOWARD INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE SHELTER SERVES JEFFERSON, BLOUNT AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES.COURT ADVOCACY PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM LINKS VICTIMS, WHETHER IN A SHELTER OR STILL AT HOME, WITH PROFESSIONAL ADVOCATES WHO PROVIDE GUIDANCE THROUGH THE OFTEN-INTIMIDATING LEGAL SYSTEM. ADVOCATES WORK WITH JUDGES, PROSECUTORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEY REFER BATTERERS TO COUNSELING PROGRAMS OFFERED BY OTHER AGENCIES IN BLOUNT, JEFFERSON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES.LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS-THIS PROGRAM LINKS A VICTIM WITH AN ATTORNEY WHO PROVIDES GUIDANCE THROUGH THE OFTEN-INTIMIDATING LEGAL SYSTEM. ATTORNEYS PROVIDE DIRECT, LEGAL SERVICES (E.G., FAMILY LAW) FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED INCOME IN BLOUNT, JEFFERSON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES.CRISIS LINE (322-HURT/4878)-THE YWCA MAINTAINS A 24-HOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS LINE ANSWERED BY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TRAINED IN CRISIS INTERVENTION. CALLERS ARE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO PLAN FOR THE SAFETY OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN. REFERRALS TO CONFIDENTIAL SHELTERS ARE MADE THROUGH THE CRISIS LINE.DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMUNITY OUTREACH-THE YWCA SEEKS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC AND DATING VIOLENCE AND WORKS IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SERVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AS WELL AS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. THE OUTREACH TEAM LEADS SUPPORT GROUPS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS ASSISTING WOMEN IN FINDING PERMANENT HOUSING.RURAL ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH-THE YWCA HAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFICES LOCATED IN BLOUNT AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES. THESE OFFICES OFFER COURT ADVOCACY, OUTREACH AND SUPPORT GROUPS TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ASSIST ISOLATED RURAL VICTIMS IN ACCESSING SOCIAL SERVICES, SAFE HOUSING AND LEGAL SERVICES.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT-THE YWCA'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER STAFF BELIEVE THAT THOSE WITH THE LEAST, DESERVE THE VERY BEST START IN LIFE. THE YWCA PROGRAM IS LICENSED BY THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NATIONALLY ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUNG CHILD (NAEYC). IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE CHILDREN WITH A SAFE PLACE TO LEARN AND PLAY, THE YWCA CENTER ALSO PROVIDES SNACKS AND TWO HOT MEALS A DAY.