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The Advocate

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About WomenSafe. . .

Mission | Herstory | WomenSafe Today | Service Statistics | Funding |

MISSION

WomenSafe works toward the elimination of physical, sexual and emotional violence against women and their children through direct service, education and social change.

HERSTORY

As a result of their concerns, a dedicated group of community members came together to make a difference for families in Addison County who were victims of domestic violence. The interagency collaboration, work of concerned citizens and community groups were instrumental in starting the Addison County Battered Women's Project in September 1980 under the umbrella of the Addison County Community Action Group. On February 4, 1982, the Addison County Battered Women's Project was incorporated as it's own entity. It was organized for the purpose of "promoting the social welfare of Addison County by reducing the incidence of domestic violence, and primarily, the incidence of abuse against women."

On August 15, 1988 the name was changed to Addison County Women In Crisis (ACWIC) . Over the span of years the office has been located at various sites in Middlebury and Bristol. Then, as a result of a dedicated Board of Directors and the generous support of the Addison County community, ACWIC purchased the present Middlebury office building in the spring of 1998.

In 2001 the staff, board and volunteers of ACWIC embarked on a process to change its name to more fully reflect the work that they do. The process incorporated a number of meetings and a survey to seek input from our supporters, service users and the community-at-large. On August 31, 2001 the WomenSafe name was officially adopted. The name signifies the real focus of our work and mission of the organization.   The process was to culminate with an event on February 1, 2002 but an ice storm prevented the celebration.

Throughout all of these changes the dedicated staff, volunteers and board members of WomenSafe have ensured high quality services for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children. The office has accessible parking and provides a safe, comfortable setting for support groups and individual meetings with trained staff.

WOMENSAFE TODAY

Each year WomenSafe offers an extensive volunteer training for community members and new volunteers. Staff and volunteers continue to receive ongoing training and support as they provide services to the victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Town of Rochester and Addison County. About twenty volunteers contribute approximately 7,000 hours of service annually assisting service users by helping them to find the services, resources and safety that they need for themselves and their children. Ten dedicated Addison County residents make up the WomenSafe Board of Directors. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the agency.

The staff and volunteers of WomenSafe ensure accessibility 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to meet the needs of the women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children, family and friends. We work to develop a coordinated community response to domestic and sexual violence as an active member of the Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, The Addison County Domestic Violence Task Force and the Sexual Assault Response Team of Addison County.  

WOMENSAFE STATISTICS

July 1, 2004 -- June 30, 2005

Staff and volunteers fielded over 1,600 hotline calls. Of the people served this year:

• At least fifteen were over the age of 60.
• 73% of the children were age 12 and under.
• More than 30 were members of our community that were being stalked by their abusers.
• More than 90 were our neighbors who experienced rape, attempted rape or other type of sexual abuse.
• More than 500 were residents of Addison County and Rochester who were supported through a crisis related to domestic or sexual violence.
• Women were the most prevalent by far. They came from various backgrounds of income, ethnicity and ability.

Education and Outreach:

• Healthy Relationships workshops were presented to 511 students in our community.
• Support and information on domestic and sexual violence were presented to 187 professionals in Addison County and Rochester.

Effects on Children:

• More than 400 children were exposed to domestic and/or sexual violence.
• The Supervised Visitation Program @ WomenSafe supervised 177 visits for eighteen different children.

This year at WomenSafe:

• The Women Who Changed The World Award was presented to local attorney Pam Marsh for her continued work and support of women and children in our community.
• Volunteers contributed more than 5,700 hours staffing the hotline, assisting women through the Relief From Abuse Order process and working in the office.
• Two social work students from UVM did their field placements at WomenSafe during the academic year and one UVM community nursing student spent a semester working with us.
• Staff worked with the Middlebury Police Department to rejuvenate the Addison County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
• Two new WomenSafe brochures were developed: Domestic Violence and Safety Planning .
• Community members joined us at American Flatbread for dinner and socializing. American Flatbread donated a percentage of each bread sold to WomenSafe.

FUNDING

WomenSafe receives funding from a combination of public and private sources and is a member agency of the United Way of Addison County.

Our Mother's Day and Annual Appeal fundraising endeavors receive strong community support.

The following is a summary of our Statement of Activities from the independent audit of our financial statements. A copy of our full financial statements is available for review.

For The Year Ended June 30, 2005

Revenues, Gains and Other Support:

Federal Grants $60,339

State Grants $94,293

General Contributions $56,576

United Way $21,919

Local Grants $1,025

Miscellaneous $2,734

Total Revenues, Gains & Other Support: $236,886

Expenses and Losses:

Direct Service $170,289

General and Administrative $58,906

Fundraising $1,924

Total Expenses and Losses: $231,119

Change in Net Assets $5,767

Net Assets at Beginning of Year $36,687

Net Assets at End of Year: $42,454