Program Summary

WAA's 24-hour emergency shelter provides free services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Services include:

• Up to 90 days of shelter
• Case management
• Individual and group counseling
• Three meals a day
• Children's health assessments
• Emergency relocation funds (as available)
• Adult education and job readiness referrals
• After school and summer school programs
• On-site child care

If you need shelter because of a domestic violence situation, call the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline (1-866-723-3014).

Program Detail

Shelter resources: WAA’s shelter provides residents with three meals a day and donated goods as needed. Facilities include an outdoor playground; a computer lab supplied by the City of Philadelphia’s Freedom Rings Initiative; a workout room donated by Curves; an art therapy room; a laundry facility; a professionally staffed kitchen; a cafeteria; and a community room where client meetings are held. The shelter also has 24-hour security staff. The location of the shelter is kept confidential to maintain client safety.

Case management services: Case managers provide housing, financial and employment counseling to help women plan for long-term safe housing upon exit from shelter. Case managers also work with women to develop a comprehensive safety plan that fit their unique situations. Children and their mothers meet with children’s case managers to address issues pertaining to safety, education, health, social support, and behavioral and developmental well-being. Children’s case managers ensure minimal disruption to schooling, particularly if a child needs to relocate to a new school for safety reasons.

Children's education services: During the work week, WAA staff operate a trauma-informed Early Learning Center for pre-school children and an After-School Program for school-aged children. Children in these programs receive support in a nurturing environment to promote healing from trauma and school readiness. During the summer months, WAA holds its annual Young Survivors Summer Camp, which includes fun activities such as swimming and field trips to sites the children have never been to before. Many of the children are withdrawn or hyperactive upon arrival at the shelter, but they begin to open up and thrive in the safe and caring environment that staff create.

Behavioral health services: Women Against Abuse provides behavioral health services to help equip women and children with an understanding of trauma and healthy strategies to cope with stress, anxiety and depression. WAA behavioral therapists work with residents through group, individual and family sessions, and they consult with case managers and shelter staff to provide trauma-informed solutions to obstacles that may arise. As a result, residents learn to cope with adversity in positive ways, improve well-being, and minimize disruptions to daily functioning.