 | The Women's Center Inc. serving Columbia and Montour County Click to view our:
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"We are a Team" Presentation  | | |   Purchase your Giant or Weis Gift Cards Here! | | | |  | | About The Women's Center The Women's Center, Inc. in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1974 and incorporated in 1976. One of the first programs in Pennsylvania to provide free support services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and incest, the Women's Center serves the residents of Columbia and Montour counties. The philosophy of the Women's Center is that all individuals are equal to one another and have the right to live in a nonviolent environment. Women's Center staff, volunteers, and the board of directors endeavor to promote an atmosphere where women can strive for equality and respect and gain confidence in their abilities and potential. By receiving peer encouragement and practical support, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can work toward regaining a positive self-image. It is our belief that this positive self-image will give women who have been battered or sexually assaulted the strength necessary to handle their problems and to work toward a solution.
| | How Can You Help?
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Soroptimist of Montour County and Fabtex recently
donated comforters, window toppers, pillows, mattress covers, sheets, blankets and an alarm clock to our shelter. Standing from the left is Lucy, Ann, TWC Advocate, Bobbi and Peggy, Soroptimist members.
Thank you Fabtex and Soroptimist of Montour County!
If your place of work or community group would like to sponsor a drive, please call Andrea at 784-6632 to learn how you can be a part of these wonderful projects.
Adopt-A-Room Donors Needed
For more information click here
Donating to TWC
The Women's Center accepts a variety of donations . All donations are greatly appreciated. Due to increasing funding cuts, financial donations from supporters are most helpful and allow us to allocate monies directly to services. Donations of clothing and household items in good condition may be brought to 111 North Market Street, Bloomsburg every Tuesday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. For additional information contact The Women's Center or email us at womenctr1@verizon.net
Click Here to
Donate Now!
Click Here to learn about Volunteer, Internship and Employment Oppurtunites
VOLUNTEER VOICE NEWSLETTER
Other ways to get invloved:
Call your local domestic violence agency to see how you can
assist. Be informed about the facts and available resources. Participate in community events that lend support to ending
domestic violence & sexual assault. Speak out. Silence is often interpreted as agreement.
Educate others about the facts. Encourage your community to provide places for awareness
and information displays.
We want your old cell phones.....
Donate a cell phone in any condition to The Women's Center. Cell phones can be dropped off at: 111 North Market Street, Bloomsburg. 784-6632
Volunteer opportunities for High School students are available. Contact us today to obtain more information about hosting
a cell phone drive in your school or community.
| TWC Accomplishments for 2008
Partnered with Tri-County Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education to host 3rd annual Motorcycle Ride for Shelter. Offered riders for the first time a Ride for Shelter patch created by D& D Tattooing and annual participation pins.
Repaired and painted front porch, replaced lighting, added two gently used refrigerators, installed two new windows, replaced ceiling tiles in kitchen, power washed and professionally cleaned the carpeting and flooring at the shelter.
With grant funding installed a new privacy fence at our shelter. In collaboration with the Columbia County VOCA Policy Board, area police officers, Officer Matthew Gerst, Detective Kenneth Strish and Sergeant Anothony Kopitsky, were honored with an award for their work with victims of domestic violence.
Hosted summer Gateways program with 14 children enjoying field trips to The Children’s Museum, BTE, Knoebel Amusement Park and the town pool. The children also learned about safety, non-violent problem solving, communication and boundaries.
Held our annual Christmas Party with staff and volunteers serving 47 adult and 54 child participants. Clean financial audit with absolutely no findings for the 8th consecutive year.
Volunteers donated 5,440 volunteer hours to the mission of The Women’s Center, Inc. Valued at the minimum wage of $6.25 per hour this represents over $34,000 of salary donation!
Carolyn Ballie,celebrated her 15th year of volunteering at The Women’s Center. Over the years, she has staffed our hotline and informational tables at various education events, assisted with mailings, served as Cleaning Product Manager and Ride for Shelter volunteer.
Held our 34th anniversary luncheon recognizing professionals and community members for their outstanding contributions in response to domestic and sexual violence in Columbia and Montour counties.
Honored Joyce Samsel, Domestic Violence Coordinator, for 25 years of service at our annual anniversary luncheon.
The Board of Directors selected Zabrina Ashton, as Deputy Director of The Women’s Center, Inc. in July 2008.
In collaboration with Sprint Wireless hosted “Donate a Phone, Save a Life”, event in Columbia County, held a Domestic Violence Awareness Event followed by a Community Entertainment Event featuring “Shoot the Moon” Duo in Montour County.
Hosted two community-wide cell phone drives that netted nearly $1000.00
Secured grant funding from the First Federal Charitable Foundation and Berwick Health & Wellness Foundation of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation to purchase five digital cameras and printer docks for taking photographs of injuries of domestic violence victims for court proceedings.
Staff and program participants presented Susan Kelly-Dreiss, co-founder and Executive Director, of Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence with a portfolio of artwork created by children staying at the shelter as a token of appreciation for her distinguished contributions in building a statewide system of lifesaving services for domestic violence victims.
The Women’s Center’s Medical Advocacy Program (MAP) in partnership with The Bloomsburg Hospital (TBH) Domestic Violence Task Force, updated and adopted domestic violence and sexual assault response protocols designed to recognize and handle the signs and symptoms of domestic and sexual assault victims.
In 2008, The Women’s Center’s Medical Advocacy Program marked its tenth year at The Bloomsburg Hospital. |
Our Community Partners
 2009 Community Recognition Awards
In front row, from left, Joan Bradbury, Joanne Deihl, Shirley Wenner, Delores Harding, Mary Millham and Gail Worthington. In back row are Lynn Fait, Kathleen Bates, Timothy Pelton, Daniel Lynn, Elwood Harding, Barbara Fleming and Marvin Shrawder. Honorees not in attendance include: John Collins, Gerry Dunn, Barbara Eure, Michael Fosse, Timothy Henninger, Glen Kelley, Ruth Kranig, Lori Marko, Jeffery Narmi, Leonard Rogutski, and Thomas Sweeney.
At our 2009 Community Recognition Luncheon, The Women's Center established The Harding Legal Fund
in honor of Elwood R. Jr. and Dolores Harding for their many years of hard work, dedication and support of our mission.
The Hardings
The legal fund will provide victims financial assistance for legal proceedings such as divorce and custody. Donations from our founding partners enabled us to start this fund in honor of The Hardings.
Our 2009 Montour County Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil
The Soroptimist International Montour County Chapter
Mayor Coleman delivers the proclamation.
Ride for Shelter
July 24, 2010
Grand Prize Tickets Now On Sale For Just $1
Purchase a ticket for your chance to win a $500 gift certificate from Vreeland's Harley-Davidson. (courtesy Vreeland's Harley-Davidson) Tickets available by calling 784-6632.
See us on Wednesday nights beginning in June at Quaker Steak & Lube.
 | Become a Direct
Service Volunteer! The Women's Center offers a 60-hour counselor/advocacy training course. This training is open to the public for individuals who want to assist staff in providing services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and incest. The training is offered at no cost in the Spring and Fall. Volunteer opportunities include: hotline coverage, legal and medical accompaniment, crisis counseling, substitute overnight advocates (as needed), preventative education programs and more! | | | Become a Non-Direct
Service Volunteer! Non-Direct Service Volunteers help with other aspects of the agency. They do not provide direct services to clients. Services include: office assistance, newsletter/bulk mailing, shelter readers, painters, maitenance, sorting donations, helping with awareness events, or help with children's activities and play groups. |
Fall 2008 Volunteer Training Class
This is the graduating class of our Spring Volunteer Training 2009! Volunteers completed the class room portion of the 60-hour Volunteer Training. Congratulations to all!
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