June 25, 2020
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON FEDERAL FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO SUPPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER PROGRAM
Tom Van Hamelryck, Idaho Regional President, WaFd Bank, Bea Black, CEO, WCA; Bev La Chance, Grants Director, WCA; Heather Chambers, Vice President, Western Idaho Division Manager, WaFdBank.
Boise, ID – The Washington Federal Foundation has awarded the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) a grant of $15,000 to support the WCA’s emergency shelter and transitional home and provide critical program services to those residing within the shelter.
Women and children residing in the shelter have the option to participate in vast programming options tailored to their individual needs guided by the goal of achieving self-sufficiency. These may include support groups, financial empowerment, life skills classes, case management, and one-on-one counseling sessions. An on-site, licensed child care is provided for mothers participating in the residential program.
“The Washington Federal Foundation has been a vital partner in ensuring the sustainability of the WCA’s emergency shelter and transitional housing programs,” said Bev La Chance, Grants Director of the WCA. “We are extremely grateful for their continued support, especially during this time as we continue to see increasing hotline call numbers and higher-than-average emergency intakes into shelter,” said La Chance.
Safety is often the most important concern when an individual makes the decision to leave an abusive relationship because leaving is the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence. In fact, most domestic violence-related homicides occur upon separation. And once an individual does leave, the danger does not stop—there can be an increase in violence for a period of time after. This is why the WCA’s secure shelter and transitional housing program is so critical. Located in a confidential location with round-the-clock staff assistance, private rooms and common living facilities for women and children fleeing domestic violence—we are here.
The Washington Federal Foundation is once again making a critical contribution to the safety and well-being of some of the most vulnerable in our community, those who are traumatized by violence and abuse in their homes. Our doors remain open at the WCA Crisis Center and shelter campus and we are here to help those experiencing the trauma form domestic and/or sexual abuse. All WCA services are provided free-of-charge thanks to the generosity of the community.
About the WCA
The Women’s & Children’s Alliance provides safety, healing and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault. The WCA operates secure shelters and provides professional counseling, legal advocacy, crisis services and case management to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. For more information, visit www.wcaboise.org.
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