YWCA West Central Michigan is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
What We Do ↘
The YWCA West Central Michigan inspires hope and healing. Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, we transform lives with expert services for victims, education to end those things that fuel abuse, and public policy that translates our mission into law.
Services ↘
With respect for the fullness of each person’s identity and the multiple facets that make up the whole of one’s experience, the YWCA’s staff work together to seamlessly connect those who come to us to the range of services they need.
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Sojourner - Short-term Emergency Shelter
Our confidential domestic violence shelter provides a healing environment for families and individuals leaving a dangerous intimate partner violent situation. Our shelter gives survivors of abuse and their children the space to heal. Individuals and families stay in their own secure room, with community restrooms, living space, kitchen and laundry facilities.
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Project HEAL
Project HEAL (Housing, Employment, Advocacy, Legal Assistance) partners with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking to strengthen a survivor’s ability to maintain a safe, independent life apart from their abusive partner. Project H.E.A.L. provides transitional housing, assists with permanent housing, and provides support services to empower survivors to move toward personal independence and economic self-sufficiency.
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Advocacy & Resource Services
Advocacy & Resource Services provides trained advocates that are available by phone 24 hours a day or by appointment during business hours to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault/abuse. We also offer legal advocacy to help navigate the legal/court system.
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Counseling / Therapy
As part of their ongoing healing, victims and survivors are helped to evaluate and establish goals which aid them in moving beyond the abuse.
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Safe Connections
To help parents and children develop positive, healthy relationships, the YWCA provides supervised parenting time and custody exchanges for families where there is a concern for safety due to domestic or dating abuse, sexual assault, stalking, child sexual abuse, mental illness, or substance abuse.
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Nurse Examiner Program
Receiving immediate and follow-up medical attention is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself if you have been sexually assaulted or physically assaulted by an intimate partner. You may have injuries that need to be treated, and you may want to address and receive treatment for the possibility of pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). As part of our community’s response to sexual assault, the YWCA provides comprehensive, timely, and sensitive sexual assault exams (officially known as medical-forensic examinations).
Monthly Giving Club ↘
The Persimmon Club is a donor community that supports the YWCA’s work through ongoing monthly giving. By signing up to give as a recurring contributor, you have a sustaining impact on the lives of women and families.
Your consistent, ongoing support helps create stable revenue streams, allows us to plan further into the future, and helps fuel our shared mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
As a Persimmon Club member you will be part of a treasured group of supporters. You will receive invitations to exclusive opportunities with YWCA, tailored updates about your giving mid-year, and a tax receipt at year end.
We look forward to keeping you updated on the effect your gift is having in our community!
Reach Out ↘
Need help or want to make a difference? Reach out to us. Whether you're seeking support or looking to lend a hand, we're here for you every step of the way.
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I Need Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced intimate partner abuse, stalking, or sexual assault/abuse, connect with us. We provide emergency shelter, crisis advocacy, legal assistance, and other support services. Not sure what you need? Call our 24-hour helpline at (616)454-9922. We're here to help.
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I Want To Help
The YWCA West Central Michigan depends on the community’s support and involvement. Without this support, we could not sustain the quality programs available to victims of domestic and sexual violence. We offer many ways that you can help survivors whether it be through donations, volunteering, or serving on one of our committees.
Community Impact ↘
The YWCA West Central Michigan depends on the community’s support and involvement. Without this support, we could not sustain the quality programs available to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Your contribution will give the gift of healing. ↘
$25
Helps provide essentials to families who have found safety at our emergency shelter.
$50
Helps provide one hour of safe, supervised parenting time for families with a history of abuse.
$125
Helps cover the cost for the YWCA to offer legal services like preparing and filing Personal Protection Order applications for victims.
$100
Helps cover the cost of one hour-long family therapy video session.
$150
Helps cover the cost of providing two weekly supervised video sessions for a parent and child working to build a healthy and safe relationship.
$250
Helps cover the cost of providing our 24-hour helpline for one month.
$500
Helps cover the average monthly cost of providing safe shelter and care for the pets of YWCA clients so they aren’t forced to choose between fleeing their abuser or leaving their pets behind in danger.
$___
Any amount will help directly impact survivors!