BUILDING MOMENTUM
Women Against Abuse
2023 Annual Report
letter from leadership
2023 was a year of building at Women Against Abuse as we undertook a $3.6 million renovation of one of our emergency shelters, developed a new strategic plan that will serve as our roadmap for the next five years, and expanded our executive leadership team to better position ourselves for excellence.
And amidst all of this, our clients were building new futures for themselves and their children, with the support of our dedicated staff members. Our 2023 Annual Report highlights our key accomplishments from the past year, but they are no more important than the seemingly small everyday actions of our employees:
- The case manager who goes the extra mile to ensure a client’s application for transitional housing is submitted on time.
- The attorney whose thorough research and understanding of family law helps secure a client’s protection from abuse order.
- The therapist who checks in on a client struggling with the weight of leaving an abusive relationship.
- The community educator who creates a safe, fun classroom atmosphere in which teens feel comfortable talking about healthy relationships.
- The hotline counselor who listens with compassion and connects callers with the resources they need.
It is the combination of all of these touch points – these largely unnoticed moments – that is making the difference. This is how we live out our mission, create safety, and inspire change.
We know this work would not be possible without your support. THANK YOU for investing in our organization. Because of you, we are able to carry out our mission with anticipation and hope.
Abrazos,
Executive Director & President
Board Chair
Shakeda's Story
I was 5 years old when my mom got a new job as a manager at a local KFC. She met a gentleman there who was a suave, smooth kind of guy, rode a bike, didn’t care about authority, and was the opposite of my father. My mom fell hard for him.
My mother had always exuded strength and beauty. She’s not a large woman, but when she walked into the room, people took notice. She was a queen. My Queen!
But her boyfriend’s attitude towards her changed swiftly....I remember my mother’s face looking as if she had been run over by a train. As she sat on the couch in tears, she was saying “I’m okay.” But it wasn’t okay.
The abuse went on like this for years. They would argue. He would hurt her, and I’d feel sick to my stomach as I watched my mom take him back. I saw less and less of the woman my mother had been.
We sought refuge at the Women Against Abuse (WAA) emergency shelter. Leaving our previous life behind was difficult, but WAA provided unwavering support throughout the transition.
Today I have four beautiful children. My oldest daughter is engaged to a wonderful young man. I broke the cycle for my kids. They know we have a zero-tolerance policy for abuse. I also have a flourishing career, and I'm leading the charge for change in my role within City Council.
Looking back, I’m so grateful for Women Against Abuse, because had I not had that organization in my life as a child, I can promise you that I would have been a different woman today. Those words and seeds that were planted in me by the women and men who worked there stayed within me and blossomed and grew.
Impact By the Numbers
Impact:
Impact:
Impact:
Contact us to request hotline cards.
Contact usDish It Up
The 15th Anniversary of Dish It Up, which took place last spring at Lincoln Financial Field, was a smashing success, raising the most ever for Women Against Abuse’s services. We’re working up an even more exciting event for this year! We hope you’ll join us for delicious bites prepared by some of Philadelphia’s best women chefs, on Thursday, June 6 at VIE in Center City Philadelphia.
We Can't Do It Without You!
Women Against Abuse needs your support to continue to provide caring, high-quality services to survivors of intimate partner violence, and to remain a leader in the movement to end domestic violence.
Join our mailing list
subscribe hereBecome a Partner for Safety
JOIN OUR MONTHLY GIVING COMMUNITYFundraise for us
Invite your friends to get involvedTake Action
Access our most recent advocacy alertGive through a Donor Advised Fund
Get started hereWe offer our deep thanks to the many people, companies, foundations and government entities that made our work possible over the past year. We could not carry out our life-saving services without our generous familia of supporters. Mil gracias.
View our fiscal year 2023 donor listFinancial Highlights
Women Against Abuse is committed to the highest quality fiscal management, ensuring that all contributions are used with integrity, transparency and for the greatest impact for survivors of domestic violence. We are pleased to have a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly Guidestar), the highest-level designation that a nonprofit can earn.
| Current Assets | $6,197,048 |
|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $465,320 |
| Contributions receivable | $1,959,349 |
| Other receivables | $600,000 |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | $129,393 |
| Investments | $3,042,986 |
| Noncurrent Assets | $13,897,897 |
| Operating leases right-of-use assets | $9,919,752 |
| Land, building, improvements, furniture and equipment, net | $3,978,145 |
| Total Assets | $20,094,945 |
| Current Liabilities | $3,224,916 |
|---|---|
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $1,280,349 |
| Line of Credit | $967,603 |
| Operating lease liabilities | $961,807 |
| Client deposits | $15,157 |
| Noncurrent Liabilities | $12,571,875 |
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current | $9,649,635 |
| Notes Payable, net of current portion | $2,922,240 |
| Total Liabilities | $15,796,791 |
| Without Donor Restrictions | $3,789,166 |
|---|---|
| Operating | $368,269 |
| Board-designated | $3,420,897 |
| With Donor Restrictions | $508,988 |
| Total Net Assets | $4,298,154 |
| Governmental grants and contracts | $10,868,785 |
| Foundation awards | $245,674 |
| Contributions | $808,320 |
| In-kind contributions | $1,115,432 |
| Allocated investment income | $128,752 |
| Other | $68,354 |
| Total Revenue & Support | $13,235,317 |
|---|
| Program Services | $12,201,582 |
|---|---|
| Safe Havens | $7,136,996 |
| Legal | $3,413,973 |
| Sojourner House | $592,203 |
| Safe at Home | $469,474 |
| Policy and Prevention | $588,936 |
| Supporting Services | $1,514,812 |
| Management and general | $1,010,154 |
| Fundraising | $504,658 |
| Total Expenses | $13,716,394 |
| Change in net assets from operations before depreciation | ($481,077) |
| Depreciation | ($413,616) |
| Net investment income | $193,575 |
| Net assets at beginning of year | $4,999,272 |
| Net assets at end of year | $4,298,154 |
| Change in Net Assets | ($701,118) |
|---|