Ywca West Central Michigan

THE YWCA WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ADDRESS THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES SURROUNDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN. SPECIFIC SERVICES INCLUDE THOSE THAT SUPPORT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. IN ORDER TO REDUCE ADULTS AND YOUTHS' VULNERABILITY TO VIOLENCE AND TO INCREASE THEIR ABILITY TO THRIVE, ALSO OFFERED IS INTERVENTION/EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMING.

CRISIS AND COUNSELING - APPROXIMATELY 3,200 INDIVIDUALS SERVED. THE CRISIS AND COUNSELING SERVICES INCLUDE 24-HOUR CRISIS LINES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING SEXUAL OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 24/7 FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION SERVICES, CRISIS COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY SERVICES AND LONGER-TERM COUNSELING SERVICES. IN ADDITION, LONGER-TERM COUNSELING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN EXPERIENCING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. SUPERVISED PARENTING TIME AND EXCHANGE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE. MOST OF THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE BASED ON A SLIDING FEE SCALE, WITH MANY OFFERED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CLIENT.

HOUSING - APPROXIMATELY 635 INDIVIDUALS SERVED. THE YWCA WCMI OPERATES A 24/7 CRISIS SHELTER FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND NEED A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. THESE RESIDENTS ARE PROVIDED SHELTER, FOOD AND ADVOCACY ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM MAINTAIN PERSONAL SAFETY AND FACILITATE LONGER-TERM HOUSING OPTIONS. LONG-TERM PERMANENT HOUSING PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED FOR FAMILIES SURVIVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND INCLUDE SCATTERED SITE APARTMENT UNITS DESIGNED FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING WITH SUPPORT SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT AVAILABILITY, AND DUPLEX UNITS THAT ARE OWNED BY THE YWCA AND LEASED TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES IN NEED OF SAFE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ALL LONG-TERM HOUSING PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED AT SUBSIDIZED RENTAL RATES BASED ON 30% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME.

YOUTH PROGRAMS - APPROXIMATELY 45 YOUTHS ARE SERVED. PREVENTION AND EMPOWERMENT OFFERS SCHOOL-BASED, AFTER-SCHOOL, AND SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. THE CURRICULUMS INCLUDE TOPICS PROMOTING REDUCED RISK FOR FUTURE VIOLENCE AND/OR ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY AND SEEK TO EMPOWER YOUTHS TO BE STRONG, SMART, AND BOLD.

CENTER FOR WOMEN - APPROXIMATELY 5 ORGANIZATIONS OR GROUPS UTILIZED SPACE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, THE CENTER FOR WOMEN IS THE PRIMARY OFFICE FOR THE YWCA WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN SERVICES. THE FACILITY ALSO PROVIDES SPACE TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OR GROUPS THROUGH SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM RENTAL AGREEMENTS AND THROUGH TENANT/LANDLORD LEASE AGREEMENTS. SPECIAL PROGRAMS - SPECIAL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS OF RACISM AND DIVERSITY, INCLUDING THE STAND AGAINST RACISM PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM AND ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE INTERNAL COMMITTEE FOR UNDERSTANDING RACIAL EQUALITY (CURE). APPROXIMATELY 230 INDIVIDUALS SERVED.