Women's Resource Center Helps Survivors Gain Self Sufficiency

Impact Partner Spotlight

Women's Resource Center

Jan. 26, 2021

Women’s Resource Center supports people living with domestic violence and helps them become self-sufficient. Its services range from domestic violence education, no-contact lift classes, safety plans, legal referrals, restraining order assistance, shelter for those escaping dangerous situations, and more.
 

A person with dark skin and short-shaven, curly hair sits in bed and hugs themself around a pillow. They prop their face in their hand.​​​​​​​What first drew you into the work of the Women’s Resource Center?

Most people in the field of domestic violence come together because we know a survivor or we ourselves are survivors. We do this work because we intimately understand the people we help every day.

How has Women’s Resource Center adapted over time—whether that’s in the last year due to the pandemic, or since its start as an organization?

Women’s Resource Center is an ever-changing organization. This year, we have added a text line and began providing our services virtually, which allows victims who cannot get to us to still receive help. The pandemic has posed many challenges for victims of domestic violence, trapping some in a home with their abusers day in and day out, and we will continue to adapt to find new ways to support survivors no matter their situations.

Can you share a story about a moment you saw your work leave a positive impact in someone’s life?

A new mother of twins entered our shelter in order to escape a tragic situation. Within two months, we assisted her in finding a home, registering for school and getting her kids to the doctor. Now that she's moved into her own place, she continues to utilize our services, where she reports that she is doing wonderfully. Although the pandemic has brought many obvious sorrows and difficulties, it's also enabled Women’s Resource Center to spend more quality time with its residents, resulting in positive changes for this client and many others.

What is some of the impact has Women’s Resource Center brought to the community in its lifespan?

Women’s Resource Center has helped countless survivors of domestic violence gain self sufficiency, and we work closely with the police to safely help those experiencing domestic violence to guide themselves from dangerous situations. We are the only shelter in Racine County that specifically serves domestic violence survivors.

Jori Chambers is the assistant director of Women's Resource Center.​​​​​​​