This vision of Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S) is to end intimate partner violence for women and their children. WC&S will accomplish this vision by advancing the safety and well being of victims of intimate partner violence and working to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence through social change.

Through an extensive strategic planning process, WC&S has organized its strategic goals into three categories; Program, Place and People. We seek to remain at the forefront of best practices by providing a full range of high quality services that are delivered through data informed programming. WC&S programs provide assistance, advocate for change and work to raise awareness. Guiding Principles: Women’s Centered Advocacy WC&S works on behalf of women and recognizes that the roots of intimate partner violence lie in the historic subjugation of women. Empowerment Approach WC&S recognizes that when individuals are provided with support, advocacy, resources and information, they are in a better position to determine what is best for them. WC&S supports the voluntary choice of women and respects the woman’s ability to assess the danger she and her children face. Sanctuary Model WC&S has adopted the Sanctuary Model, a holistic, full-system approach to meeting the physical and emotional needs of victims. Sanctuary is a method of providing service and engaging in activities and interactions that focuses on helping injured children and adults recover from damaging effects of interpersonal trauma. Community Awareness WC&S educates the community and works to change systems in ways that will end intimate partner violence. Foundation of Services- J. A. R. S. WC&S provides high quality, confidential programs offered in an environment where cultural competency, justice, autonomy, restoration and safety are priorities. Core Services WC&S provides the following core services to achieve its mission. 24-Hour Hotline Shelter Legal Advocacy Systems Advocacy Individual and Group Counseling Prevention Education Training to Professionals

Founded in 1974, Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S) was one of the first six shelters in the United States for battered women. Since that time, WC&S has been at the forefront of the Battered Women's Movement, creating and implementing innovative and effective programming aimed at preventing domestic violence and providing services to domestic violence victims. Each year more than 11,000 domestic violence victims utilize Women’s Center & Shelter services. Women's Center & Shelter: • Provides sanctuary from domestic violence for women and their children • Informs survivors of abuse, significant others, and the community of the resources available to them • Works with all relevant organizations/agencies to create resources for survivors of domestic violence and their children • Accompanies individuals as they proceed through the legal system • Works with children to help them learn alternative responses to violence • Educates the public about the needs of survivors and their families • Works for systems change to alter societal attitudes, behaviors and response towards intimate partner violence

Women’s Center & Shelter charts its progress in several ways. Client/customer satisfaction surveys are conducted ongoing for each program. This data is reported to the President/CEO and executive team on a quarterly basis. At the annual meeting of the board, a written report is presented detailing the year in review. Additionally, WC&S maintains a five year strategic plan that is updated annually for review by the Board of Directors.

From 1981 to 1983, WC&S raised more than $1 million during Capital Campaign to purchase a building with a shelter capacity of 32. In 1986 the Non-Resident Counseling Program was started. Many victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) may not need the safety of our Shelter, but they need an emotionally safe environment in which to talk about their experiences. Responding to community need, in 1994 WC&S launched a $5 million Capital Campaign and purchased a larger facility that increased the number of shelter beds to 36. In 2001 Women’s Center developed its Civil Law Project (CLP), a respected provider of free, legal services in Allegheny County with a statewide reputation for high-quality legal work on behalf of domestic violence victims. Beginning December 16, 2013, the City of Pittsburgh implemented the Maryland Lethality Assessment Program. City of Pittsburgh police officers who are called to a home where domestic violence (IPV) is suspected are now required to administer an 11-point lethality assessment, measuring how lethal a woman’s situation truly is and connecting them to immediate help through WC&S’ 24-Hour Hotline. On May 2, 2014 Women’s Center & Shelter commemorates 40 years of service to the Pittsburgh Community. While we continue to achieve our mission of advancing the safety and wellbeing of victims of intimate partner violence and working to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence through social change, we have not achieved our vision of ending intimate partner violence in the lives of women and their children.