Striving To End The Cycle

Of Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault

From our beginning as a drop-in center housed within another agency, The Women’s Community has grown to a 28-bed facility with a staff of 26 full and part-time employees available to respond to the needs of our community 24 hours a day.

And the needs are only increasing...

• Steady increase in reported domestic abuse incidents in Marathon County —  from 444 in 2000 to 703 in 2006.

• Three domestic homicides in 2006- 07.

• A 25 percent increase in requests for services in the last year.

• Increased average length of stay in the shelter in the last year —  from 16 to 24 nights.

• Adults with developmental disabilities are 4 - 10 times more likely to be physically or sexually assaulted.

• The rate of repeat sexual abuse among women with developmental disabilities was found to be at more than 70 percent.

More than a shelter, we offer the following programs: 

• Domestic Abuse Program Crisis services for victims and their children including a 24-hour crisis line, shelter, counseling, and advocacy.

• Sexual Assault Victim Services

• Transitional Living Program

• Abuse in Later Life Program

• Southeast Asian Program

• A Window Between Worlds Art

Please Help Us Build a New Facility

 How You Can Help

All donations will be put in our Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin capital campaign fund.

Click here to be directed to Community Foundation website and The Women’s Community Capital Campaign Fund.

OR:

Print this pledge card and mail it to the Community Foundation; the address is listed on the card.

Thank you for considering The Women’s Community! We could not exist without generous community support.  

Challenges

The Current Facility:

• Houses 28 women and children.  When full, there are 28 virtual strangers, all at varying levels of crisis, living together - sharing one bathroom, kitchen, and living room.

• Since 1999, there has been an average of 15 - 20 requests for shelter per year that could not be met due to the shelter being full.  In these cases, alternative housing had to be found.

• Significant barriers in providing full services to victims with certain disabilities are a reality. 

• No private access for families fleeing violence.  

• Persistent abusers drive through the parking lot to monitor if their partner’s car is there.

• The public entrance overlooks the play area.

• Not environmentally friendly.

Solutions

A New Facility:

• A safe, secure haven for 40 adults and children fleeing violent homes.  Will provide an adequate number of bathrooms and common areas to accommodate families in crisis.

• Additional families will be able to be housed, including a room that could be utilized for a male client needing safe shelter or someone with significant disabilities that requires a visiting nurse to assist them.

• Fully accessible for clients with disabilities.

• A safe, no-shame, secure haven for adults, children, and families fleeing violent homes.

• Private, secure, and safe parking for clients.

• Private areas for the families to play.

• A green facility supporting environmental friendliness.  

“My mom is asleep, so I am just going to watch the camera to make sure he doesn’t come here.  I will stay awake and watch so she can sleep.”

8-year old boy in shelter

“My mommy used to cry a lot.  But she don’t have to cry here no more.”

4-year old boy in shelter

“I would never have found the courage to step up and report to officials what had happened to me if it hadn’t been for the help and support of The Women’s Community. Thank you!”

A client of The Women’s Community

“I wouldn’t know what I’d do if the Women’s Community shelter didn’t exist.  I don’t know, slept in my car I guess.”

A client of The Women’s Community 

Domestic violence and sexual assault destroy families and homes.

Beyond the physical injuries and pain, power and control are used to intimidate, threaten, isolate, and financially and emotionally trap victims. 

 The effects of domestic violence and sexual assault leave life-long negative impacts on children. 

 Domestic violence and sexual assault know no boundaries and affect all socio-economic classes, age levels, and ethnic groups.

 Mission Statement

The mission of The Women’s Community is to provide specialized services and resources to people in central Wisconsin affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and unemployment.  Our goal is to help individuals and families attain greater emotional and economic self-sufficiency. 

Vision Statement

 TWC is a model organization that empowers communities and individuals who have survived the effects of violence and oppression through the provision of quality programming, advocacy, and education.  The ultimate goal is to reduce/eradicate violence.