Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S) is proud to honor 50 years of providing help, healing, and hope to survivors of domestic violence and their children. As one of the first domestic violence programs in the U.S., we meet survivors where they are, offering resources and support to help them and their families escape abusive relationships and rebuild their lives.Historical photo of a discussion group, courtesy of Women’s Center & Shelter.Our comprehensive services include hotline support, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, and more. Rooted in the values first championed by our founders, Ellen Berliner and Anne Steytler, in 1974, WC&S empowers survivors by helping them regain their sense of self in a safe and positive environment. Our survivor-centered advocacy ensures that each survivor, as the expert in their experience, receives personalized support to help them meet their goals.WC&S serves as a sanctuary, providing a holistic, trauma-informed approach that not only meets survivors’ physical and emotional needs but also guides how we care for one another within our organization.We believe that community plays a crucial role in spreading awareness about domestic violence and its impact, and we work to educate the Greater Pittsburgh region on how to support survivors.Join the celebrationStronger together: Team members wear purple to mark DV Awareness Month. Photo courtesy of Women’s Center & Shelter.Honor the 50th Anniversary of Women’s Center & Shelter. Join in the celebration by posting anniversary well-wishes or messages of hope on social media. Include the hashtag #WCS50 in your post honoring the incredible impact of the Women’s Center & Shelter.Whether you share a personal story, words of hope, or a note of congratulations, your participation helps amplify the voices of survivors and shows your support for a future free of domestic violence. Let’s make this milestone celebration one to remember—together, we can continue to make a difference!Remember to use #WCS50 in your anniversary social media post and encourage your friends, family, and community to join the celebration. Messages will appear on the 50th Anniversary wall at WCS50.org. Learn more.A safe and welcoming community: More About WC&SFrom support groups and legal assistance to emergency shelter and hotline services, Women’s Center & Shelter creates safe spaces for help, healing, and hope for adults experiencing domestic violence and their children. Our safe and welcoming community provides care and support for survivors who have experienced all types of domestic violence from physical to emotional. Whether a survivor is just discovering that they’re in a dangerous relationship or is taking steps toward safety, our trained staff can help.The RIL Team provides support and advocacy for refugee, immigrant, and limited English-speaking survivors. Photo courtesy of Women’s Center & Shelter.WC&S’ trained advocates provide safety planning, connection to resources, and more on our Hotline 24/7 and Text and Chat lines from 9-5 PM, Monday- Friday. WC&S’ Emergency Shelter provides survivors and their children with safety, security, and basic needs along with emotional support, crisis intervention, advocacy, and resource connections. The Children’s Advocacy Program offers a safe, nurturing space for child survivors of domestic violence, providing advocacy, support, case management, and crisis intervention for families and children. The RIL Team supports refugee, immigrant, and limited English-speaking survivors, offering culturally sensitive advocacy and pushing for systemic change to overcome barriers. For survivors who do not need the safety of Shelter, WC&S provides services such as Legal Advocacy, Support Groups, Individual Counseling, and much more.Ways you can helpEach year, Women’s Center & Shelter serves more than 7,500 individuals, including beloved family pets. Your generosity assists in changing a life and breaking the cycle of violence. There is hope for a happy, healthy life for survivors of intimate partner violence. Your generosity makes our work possible. See how you can support our mission and empower survivors to build new lives. Invest in our mission by donating today and help us provide help, healing, and hope to those who need it. Learn more today at wcspittsburgh.org.The post Help, healing and hope for survivors of domestic violence appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.