Abused Women's Services
Abused Women’s Services is a multi-faceted program consisting of four (4) major components: Community Education, Court Advocacy, Immigrant Women’s Services and Emergency Shelter. During the past fiscal year, AWS provided services to 1,101 women and children who were victims of domestic violence. The services included but were not limited to crisis counseling, individual and group counseling, shelter, food, transportation, clothing, court advocacy, social service referrals and education/information on domestic violence.
AWS is continually working to bring awareness of domestic violence, victim’s rights/needs, community responsibility, and the need for volunteerism. This year alone Community Education had 114 presentations and 54 media contacts. AWS is reaching out to the community and developing partnerships with local and state service organizations including Memphis Area Legal Services, Memphis Police Departments, Shelby County’s District Attorney General, Pretrial Services and Sheriff’s Department, Memphis/Shelby County Domestic Violence Council and Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. As a result of these partnerships AWS is providing additional services such as an advocate for domestic violence victims whose orders of protection have been violated and serving as a Regional Intake Center for Tennessee’s Immigrant Legal Clinic.
Also this fiscal year, the AWS Emergency Shelter was chosen by Bright Horizons Foundation to become a Bright Space. The goal of the Bright Spaces program is to provide homeless children with an enriching, warm, and educational environment, and most of all, to provide a fun place to foster positive experiences in these children’s lives. Bright Spaces encourage learning, reading, playing, and increased interaction between parents and their children. Renovation and design of the Bright Spaces room was funded by the First Unitarian Church of Memphis (Church of the River) and the collaborative organization First Years.
With absolute commitment to the YWCA’s goal of eliminating racism and empowering women, the Assistant Executive Director for Leadership and Development and the AWS staff strive to improve the lives of victimized women and children by providing high quality comprehensive services.
Internet Safety Tips - How to Cover Your Tracks
YWCA-Abused Women's Services Crisis Hotline: 901-725-4277 |
