The Women’s Center’s mission is to provide safety, shelter and support to women and their families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse and to facilitate their development.

CENTERPOINT

Leaving an abusive environment is often the most dangerous time for women and their children, as well as those around them. According to the FBI, 75% of homicides related to domestic violence occur within the first two weeks of when victims leave their abusers.

Our 32-bed shelter provides a place of safety and hope for over 300 individuals each year who are taking that courageous step to break the cycle of violence. Through this program, clients are provided safe housing, transportation, food, and other basic necessities.

Shelter Advocates manage our 24-hour Hotline and meet the needs of our clients. A Case Manager assists clients in setting goals and coordinating services. A Shelter Nurse ensures tailored medical referrals and follow-up care. Our Children’s Advocate helps youth adjust from an abusive environment to one that fosters safety, and she organizes weekly activities to help children and their mothers relieve stress and anxiety caused by violence.

Our shelter clients are also provided supportive programming. Our Counselors provide trauma informed care so that survivors may begin their path towards healing. Our Legal Advocates assist women and children with their long-term safety, including filing restraining and harassment orders and other legal injunctions. The Employment Counselors provide economic empowerment so that women may learn the skills necessary to remain financially independent.

The shelter operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet the needs of each individual requiring safety, shelter and support. Staff is always accessible to provide tailored support to shelter residents and to answer our 24-hour Hotline.

Breaking free of domestic violence is a significant struggle. Providing safe refuge through our Emergency Shelter program is critical to help thousands in our community break the cycle of violence.

Winter 2015

Emergency Shelter:A Pathway to Safety

The Women’s Center’s free programs and services include: Emergency Shelter, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Counseling, Transitional Living, Employment Counseling, Legal Advocacy, and a 24-Hour Hotline. Free onsite childcare

is available during support groups, classes, and counseling appointments.

Our Hotline is staffed to answer questions and offer support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In 2014, we answered more than 5,800 Hotline calls.

Please call our Hotline at 262-542-3828 or toll free at 1-888-542-3828.

The Women’s Center main building.

Join us as we celebrate The Women’s Center’s 38th Anniversary! Our Anniversary Luncheon will be held on April 24, 2015 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event includes a large silent auction, raffle, and a presentation delivered by a nationally recognized speaker.

Our Keynote speaker, Joshua Safran, is an author, attorney, “occasional rabbi” and nationally recognized advocate for survivors of domestic violence and champion for the wrongfully imprisoned. His 7-year legal odyssey to free a battered woman from prison was featured in the award-winning documentary film “Crime After Crime”, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and on the Oprah Winfrey Network. The film won over 25 awards, including the National Board of Review Freedom of Expression Award and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. Safran has also received numerous awards and national media coverage for his pro bono advocacy work.

Tickets for the event are $65 per person or $650 for a table of ten. Online registration will be available in March. For information on serving as an event sponsor or donating a silent auction item, please call 262-522-3805.

Joshua Safran

Save the Date! Anniversary Luncheon

Our annual Fashion Show, “A Fashionable Dream”, was a success! Held at the Country Springs Hotel on November 21, the event raised over $66,000 for our programs and services!

Thank you to our sponsors, including our Presenting Sponsor Galleria West Shopping Center, emcee Susan Kim, our volunteer models, clothiers, and guests. View event photos on our Facebook page!

Fashion Show A Fabulous Evening

Thank You to Our On-Call Advocates

This dedicated group of volunteers provides after-hours advocacy and emergency transportation to our shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault from all areas of Waukesha County. They are “on-duty” from 5:00 p.m. through 8:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, weekends, and holidays. They touch the lives of victims of assault when they are most in need of support.

Often they are roused from a sound sleep in the middle of the night to drive to Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Once there, they work side by side with specially trained nurses to advocate for sexual assault victims who present in the emergency room. They provide information on resources and offer emotional support.

Our On-Call Advocates are empathetic, patient, and committed. They are essential to our work of providing around-the-clock care. Thank you, Advocates, for all you do!

Our Fashion Show was presented by

Wish List

We are currently in need of:• Plastic storage bins (all sizes)• Kitchen storage containers (Tupperware)• Gifts for teenagers: art supplies, gift cards (shoe

stores, movie passes, Brookfield Square), jewelryThank you!

Match Day is Back!Organized by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Match Day is an online donation opportunity to increase support and awareness for community agencies that provide basic needs of food and shelter. On or before March 19, 2015, you can give to The Women’s Center at www.MatchDayMKE.org.

All gifts made during this specific time will be matched proportionately, based on a pool of matching funds and the total amount raised by each organization during the Match Day period. The website is secure, credit card numbers will not be stored and donors are not required to log in or register. There is no need to wait until Match Day to make your donation. You can go online today and schedule your donation, to be processed on March 19.

Last year, The Women’s Center received over $228,655 through donations and the match by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Early giving provides The Women’s Center a positive, supportive foundation for the year ahead and allows us to continue offering our programs and services free of charge to women and children seeking help and support.

L-R: Angela Mancuso (The Women’s Center), Karen Tredwell (FOOD Pantry), County Executive Dan Vrakas, Bernie Juno

(Hebron House), Ralph Zick (Hope Center)

A. J. Ugent Furs & Fashions, Inc.Abbot Machine Co.Aegis CorporationBank of America BMO Harris BankCatholic Financial LifeCella’s Jewelry Century Fence CompanyClean Air and Water SystemsCNH IndustrialComplete Family DentistryContinuum Architects & PlannersD’Angelo & Jones, LLPDan’s L&L Fine JewelryDigicorpEnvironmental SystemsEZCORPFaye’s 1First Federal Bank of WisconsinFoley & Lardner LLPGalleria West Shopping CenterGlobe Contractors

GraingerGregory and CompanyIllinois Tool WorksInPro CorporationJack Safro ToyotaKelvin Schroeder JewelersKenra ProfessionalsKohl’s Lauer Family Chiropractic Inc.Legends of the FieldMainstream BoutiqueMassage EnvyMilton Family LawMolly Maid of Lake CountryNatural Resource TechnologyPaz’s PubPersonnel Specialist, LtdPJK Finishing Company, Inc.PLM Paving & ConcretePower Test Inc.P-Zazzz! LTDReneu Women’s Health/Medispa

Shorewest RealtorsSilk Worm TextilesStudio GearSwick Technologies, LLCTEMPO WaukeshaThe Legend at BrandybrookU.S. CellularVisu-Sewer, Inc.Vogel Consulting Group SCWal-MartWaukesha County Police Chiefs AssociationWaukesha Floral and Greenhouses, Inc.Waukesha Olde Car ClubWe Energies WHR GroupWillow Creek ApartmentsWinter, Kloman, Moter & Repp, S.C.Zorn Compressor & Equipment

The Women’s Center Thanks These Businesses for Their Recent Support!

Schedule your donation today at www.MatchDayMKE.org!

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostageP A I D

Waukesha, WIPermit No. 416

Volunteer Spotlight: Aaron Ames

Calendar of Special Events

Anniversary Luncheon

Italian Community Center

April 24, 2015

Summer EveningThe Legend at Merrill HillsJuly 18, 2015

Fashion ShowCountry Springs Hotel

November 13, 2015

24-Hour Hotline 262-542-3828

Aaron is a dedicated volunteer in our Gentle Men program. Gentle Men provide a warm, nurturing, non-sexist, non-violent male role model for children staying in our emergency shelter. Aaron has been volunteering with The Women’s Center for a little over a year. He works as the Art Director for Nev’s Ink in Waukesha and has “a million” hobbies, including singing.

Aaron was inspired to volunteer with us because he wanted to make a difference. Now, he says, “The Women’s Center has provided me the opportunity to be the role model I wish I had growing up.”

Aaron appreciates the opportunity to work with children and model positive behaviors. He explains, “Kids are amazing. The fact

that they can go through such adversity and come out smiling is really incredible. The Women’s Center makes me feel so appreciated. For as much as I am told that I am making a positive impact on members of the community, I believe The Women’s Center has had a great impact on me. This is really a special place.”

Thank you to Aaron and all of our volunteers for your committment to our clients and our mission!

For information on volunteering, call 262-522-3845 or visit www.twcwaukesha.org.

Remember The Women’s Center in your Will

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PresidentKristen Roche, Ph.D.President-ElectKaty VettaSecretary Sarah GroomsTreasurerDerek ArnoldPast President Allan FroehlichDirectorsAnn Dee AllenRobert DiDonatoHeather Hernandez- GeorgeAlison HolubBill HumphreysJulia KelloggLatrice KnightonDawn LeaderNancy LindenbergJim OrthMarcia PellerSandy WysockiStudent MembersPauline BrownClaire FeichtmeierExecutive DirectorAngela Mancuso

Winter 2015

Centerpoint is published by The Women’s Center, Inc., a private, non-profit charitable organization. The mission of The Women’s Center is to provide safety, shelter and support to women and their families and to facilitate their development. Comments regarding Centerpoint should be directed to Dana at 262-522-3805. As a United Way agency, The Women’s Center encourages you to support the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.

505 North East AvenueWaukesha, WI 53186

Bus. 262-547-4600Hotline 262-542-3828www.twcwaukesha.org

Connect with us!