Blog
Women’s Equality Day
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. In 1920, decades after the first suffragettes started their work, the new amendment was ratified on August 18, and eight days later, on August 26, the Secretary of State signed the...
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
In 2013, the United Nations established the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which is observed on July 30th each year to raise awareness, acknowledge the work being done internationally, and garner support for survivors. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, human...
Tribute to Sandy Sommers
This week, The Women’s Center family is celebrating the life of Sandy Sommers, who suddenly passed away on July 14. We grieve the loss of such a remarkable individual and want to pay tribute to her dedicated career serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence....
COVID-19 Message from the Executive Director
On June 15, The Women’s Center began our workplace recovery plan post-Safer at Home order. To figure out the most effective and safest way to offer programming in this new social environment, we decided to return in phases, carefully and thoughtfully, to minimize...
Pride Month
In June, The Women’s Center recognizes and celebrates Pride Month, which honors the LGBTQ+ movement, celebrates the freedom to be one’s self, and brings awareness to the inequalities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. We serve clients from diverse backgrounds and...
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and at The Women’s Center, we know all too well that abuse happens to all genders, all races, and all ages, including older adults. Each year, 15 – 20% of the adults we see are over the age of 55, and we even serve survivors...
Being Mindful – Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and here at The Women’s Center, we consistently highlight the importance of maintaining mental wellness for staff as well as clients. With the many uncertainties of today’s environment, we want to take a moment to encourage...
Helping Prevent Child Abuse
In addition to being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and by equipping you with information on reporting and prevention, we hope to reduce this pervasive crime in our community. In 2019, the Wisconsin Department of Children and...
How to Support a Survivor of Sexual Assault
During April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is a focused time to EmPower Survivors by bringing awareness, promoting prevention, and inspiring change. We can all take action, and I’m writing to remind you that during SAAM and always, Your Voice Has Power. ...
24-Hour Hotline Overview
The Women’s Center has responded to thousands of calls to our 24-Hour Hotline since our founding in 1977. Today more than ever, our 24-Hour Hotline provides a critical lifeline to victims of domestic and sexual violence, providing: an outlet for questions, safety...
Spotlight on Services: Children’s Programming
Experiencing abuse can have serious effects on a child’s mental and emotional state, performance in school, and attitude towards life in general. Here at The Women’s Center, we work to give our youngest clients the care and support they need to process their trauma...
Spotlight on Services: Domestic Violence Programming
Domestic violence can take many forms: physical violence, sexual abuse, rape, emotional abuse, economic deprivation, threats, intimidation, isolation. Any situation where a partner is exerting or wielding power and control over the other repeatedly is abuse. This...
Spotlight on Services: Employment and Life Skills Programming
Many of our clients have both practical and economic barriers to safety and self-sufficiency. Beyond the immediate safety, shelter, and support that we provide from the first moment a client comes to us, we work to empower and enable them to set and reach their goals...
Ok, let’s talk demand!
I’ve been asked to talk about the past, present and future demand for The Women’s Center services. By the numbers, here’s a snapshot of just a few programs for you on the demand we’ve seen during a ten-year period, between 2008 to 2018, where we responded to: 73,000...
IRA Charitable Contributions
Many of us have individual retirement accounts (IRAs), maybe through our employers or a separate investment company, to make retirement more comfortable. For those of us over the age of 70 ½, we are required to take a minimum distribution from that account, Uncle...
Nutrition & Wellness: Nourishment for Body & Soul
To help those we serve and those who work here make long-lasting nutrition and lifestyle choices that also enhance their well-being, The Women’s Center has established a variety of programs and initiatives related to health and wellness. For our clients, we offer...
Mission & Vision
With an emphasis on the work we do each day, and with a clear eye on the agency’s commitment to meeting needs in the future, the Board of Directors adopted a vision statement and approved revisions to our mission statement in January 2018. The mission of The Women’s...
Spotlight on Services: Legal Advocacy
In a 2015 study entitled “Supporting Survivors” by the Institute for Policy Integrity, the authors determined that legal advocacy successfully decreases the cycle of domestic abuse. We’ve seen this first hand. The Women’s Center’s legal advocates are available by...
What the #MeToo Movement Meant, Means, and Will Mean to Us: College Students Perspectives on Sexual Assault
In 2018, we saw a culture shift that happened due to the #MeToo movement. The importance of such a movement is evident on campuses around the country. Unfortunately, college is known for its “hookup culture” or the preference for casual sex over long-term commitment....