The philosophy of the Women's Center is that all individuals are equal to one another
                              and have the right to live in a non-violent environment.

The Women's Center Inc. serving Columbia and Montour County

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      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? 



Junior Girl Scout, Lacey Densberger from Troop 2327 collected cell phones for The Women's Center. She is shown presenting  the phones to our Legal Coodinator. Lacey earned her Bronze Award by collecting 146 cell phones which took her over nine months to complete. 

Congratulations to Lacey for earning her Bronze Award!

 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.

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

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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.

    cell phone
  •  

    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 now 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.  

    W
    ith 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. 

     V
    olunteers 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. 

      

      


     

    2008 Community Recognition Awards

    In front row, from left, Michelle Moyer, Bonnie Fetterman, Carol Wagner, Ruth Nolan, Bonnie Hess and Brandy Hampton. In back row, Phillip Diorio, Lanny Fetterman, Susan Oberkircher, the Rev. Robert J. Andrews, William Klink, Jerry Ward, John McDonough and Robert Kline. Awardees not pictured: Carolyn Ballie, Tina Bingaman, Sgt. Allen Breach, Robert Buehner, Carmella DiPippa, Miranda Flango, Lois Gensil, Paula Heimbach, Kathryn LaBar, Brooke Mlinarich, the Rev. Karl Polm-Faudra, Jack Runge, Robert Rupert, Lois Williams, Jacqueline Woodward and Nancy Yeates.

     

     

    Our 2008 Montour County
    Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil
    The Soroptimist International Montour
    County Chapter not only attended the vigil
    but hosted a paper supply drive in conjunction
     with other Montour County women's groups.
      



     
    Our 2008 Montour County Sexual
    Assault
    Awareness Vigil


    Montour County Commissioner Ward
    delivers the proclamation. 




     

    4th Annual Ride For Shelter
    Saturday, July 25, 2009
    Please join us and Tri-County ABATE of Pennsylvania for our annual Ride for Shelter.  The event will be held rain or shine and all vehicles are welcome.
    For more information please click here:
    After party entertainment includes one of PA hottest bands Shoot The Moon

    Please join us for a great ride and entertainment at the Millville American Legion Post 564.

     
    Click here for a Ride for Shelter flyer.
      
          
      
               

               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!

     

     

    No More Monsters at My House
    (Children's Art Exhibit)
    Copyrighted 2004© All Rights Reserved

    Our art exhibit showcases artwork created by children who experienced domestic violence. Many of the children no longer live in violent homes. To assist viewers in understanding the context of each piece, each child has provided an artist statement. Twenty-six children submitted over one hundred pieces of artwork for consideration in the exhibit. The selection process was difficult. But with outside assistance, we selected and now proudly present to the community our children's art exhibit.

     
    Copyrighted 2004© All Rights Reserved
    Artwork Framed by: Art Ventures Framery 

     
    Copyrighted 2004© All Rights Reserved
    Artwork Framed by: Art Ventures Framery 
    "I painted a sunset because I like sunsets and because we used to see them all the time where we used to live." Girl, age 8
    "This is a house where a family lives. Not everyone understands family but as long as they love you, it's okay." Boy, age 9

    See our art exhibit at the Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center located in Benton. 
    Exhibit opens April 6- May 31, 2009.

                                                  Transitional Housing

                                                                 

                                         The Transitional Housing Program is a program that helps and supports women who 
                                         have left abusive relationships as they develop the resources they need to live independent, 
                                         violence-free lives.  The facility opened in 2007 and is operated in partnership with the Columbia  
                                         CountyHousing Authority and the Nurse Family Partnership.


     

                                                          

                                                                            

                                                                   
                                                                     24 Hour Emergency Hotline: (800)544-8293 or (570)784-6631
                                                                           
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                                                                                               Since March 20, 2002 The Women's Center, Inc. All rights reserved.

     

     

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