What is Women's Crisis Support Team?
Women's Crisis Support Team (WCST) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence and sexual assault in Josephine County through intervention, prevention, and safe shelter. WCST was formed in 1977 as the Women's Coalition of Josephine County, and operated entirely as a volunteer program and hot line for rape victims. In 1980 the organization changed its name, expanded its scope, and incorporated as a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, dedicated to the struggle against both domestic violence and sexual assault.
WCST has evolved into one of the community's most active, recognized, and respected non-profit organizations. One thing will never change; WCST's commitment to helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and to mitigating the physical, emotional and societal damage caused by violence in the home.
INTERVENTION PROGRAM
What WCST provides:
- 24/7 Crisis Line- 365 days a year
- 24/7 Crisis Response to law enforcement, hospital, senior and disabled services- 365 days a year
- Emergency assistance- motels, bus tickets, gas assistance, food boxes, medical assistance
- Family Court advocacy- daily assistance with FAPA, restraining orders, hearings, stalking orders
- Provide court mandated Family Abuse Awareness classes-weekly (both for men and women)
- Criminal Court advocacy- in person advocacy for victims of crime through the criminal justice system
- Department of Human Services, Self Sufficiency-Advocate out-stationed at DHS-SS working with victims of DV/SA
- Women's Support Group- for women who have been victims of domestic violence
- Children's Support Group- for children who have witnessed domestic violence
- One on One in person meetings with victims
- Community wide advocacy to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
- Community Education to partner agencies- RCC, service groups, schools, churches, businesses
- Sponsorship of the Women's Independence Studies Program for past victims of domestic violence for living expenses while the attend college. During 2009 advocates sponsored 10 women bringing in $46,750 for their living expenses. (The Sunshine Lady Foundation- Doris Buffett)
- Training and Supervision of volunteers and RCC/SOSU Practicum students.
The Intervention Team participates on the following Community Teams and Meetings:
- Jo. County Child Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Team
- Jo. County Domestic Violence Council
- Sexual Assault Task Force
- Senior and Disabled Multi-Disciplinary Team
- Family Law Advisory Committee
- Jo. County Mental Health Court Committee
- FAST Team meeting with DHS
- Medical Assessment Team with DHS
- Family Decision Meetings with DHS-Child Welfare
2009 Stats
DV phone contacts……………..3,442
SA phone contacts…………….. 268
Sheriff Dept. Advocacy………....... 55
GPPSD Advocacy……………... 189
Hospital (TRCH) Advocacy…….... 83
Other Agency Advocacy………. 639
In Person Contacts……………..6,549
TRO Court Advocacy…….……. 446
Volunteer Hours………………...6,875
PREVENTION PROGRAM
What WCST provides:
The Women's Crisis Support Team has become a recognized leader in implementing primary violence prevention programs and community building curricula in Grants Pass area schools and in the community at large. Primary prevention involves efforts to reduce the incidence of violent acts among a population before it occurs. Our strategies introduce new values, thinking processes, and relationship skills to particular population groups that are incompatible with violence and that promote healthy, non-violent relationships.
While quantifying the success of WCST's particular prevention strategies remains difficult, we have been fully recognized by school and community leaders alike as a significant asset to the collective Grants Pass community effort to reduce violence and sexual assault. The WCST Prevention Program has also been instrumental in bringing an AmeriCorps Volunteer to the Grants Pass community for the purpose of outreach to the community and schools to end violence and build community.
Specifically, the WCST Prevention Program provides:
- Outreach to four area high schools, providing groups to both young men and young women using the curriculum for the Oakland Men's Project, "Young Women's Lives" and "Young Men's Work". These groups have led to over 2,000 student contact hours during the 2008-2009 school year in an effort to educate, raise awareness and prevent violence and sexual assault amongst Grants Pass area youth.
- Community Education to schools, community partners, agencies, service groups, churches including:
- All area high schools
- Rogue Community College
- Soroptimist of Grants Pass
- Oregon Employment Department
- Rotary clubs of Grants Pass
- DHS, Health Options through Prevention and Education
- Organization of community events, activities, and awareness campaigns for the months of October (domestic violence awareness month) and April (sexual assault awareness month).
- Organizes and provides the bi-annual Volunteer/Staff training for all WCST volunteers.
- Production of educational and outreach materials including pamphlet, flyer's, and press releases.
SHELTER PROGRAM-TALSUNNE SAFE HOUSE
In December 1998, with strong community support, we opened a safe shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Grants Pass. WCST operates Talsunne House, a 12 bed safe shelter for women and children. This is the only shelter program currently available for the residents of Josephine County. During the last 11 years we have kept 2,103 women and children safe from harm.
What WCST provides:
- 13 hours of staff advocacy daily, 365 days a year
- Food pantry
- Clothing bank
- Women and Children's support groups
- Conflict Resolution/Communication skills
- Advocacy with community partners and agencies
- Indoor and Outdoor children's play areas
- Financial planning and management of individuals or groups
- Safety Planning
- Identification of Barriers
- Parenting advocacy
- Job skills and resume assistance
- Medical and mental Health advocacy
- Life Skills advocacy
- Transportation
- Household furnishings for new living accommodations
- Donated cars
- After Care- Families who have previously been in shelter continue to receive advocacy
- Training and Supervision of volunteers and RCC Practicum students
The Shelter team participates on the following Community Teams and Meetings:
- Family Strengthening Advisory Meeting (Goodwill Advisory Committee)
- Grants Pass Early Childhood Council
- Department of Human Services Child Welfare-Family Decision Team Meetings
- Josephine County Community Food Bank
