Established in 1976, the Women’s Center of Montgomery County (WCMC) is a volunteer powered, community-based organization working to eliminate domestic violence. so that individuals can live safer, more stable lives and thrive. Through our programs and services – which incorporate trauma-informed Intervention, Prevention and Empowerment methodologies - we work to save lives, promote self-sufficiency, create institutional change and reduce the impact of domestic violence.

Our programs are administered by more than 165 trained volunteers and a paid staff of 16 full and 8 part-time employees. Our offices are located in Cheltenham Twp., Norristown, Pottstown, Bryn Mawr, Colmar, Skippack and Lansdale. We also staff an office at the Norristown Court House to assist victims seeking Protection from Abuse Orders. Through our Medical Advocacy Project, we provide onsite staffing at Jefferson/Abington and Holy Redeemer Hospitals. Finally, we operate a thrift shop in Jenkintown benefitting our domestic violence program as well as providing donations of clothing and housewares to the survivors with whom we work.

The WCMC supports domestic violence victims and their families in their transition toward safety, serving approximately 4,000 adult victims annually. We also train first responders and other social service providers to effectively identify and refer victims. Our community education work focuses on both prevention and helping individuals self-identify by recognizing the dynamics of abuse and available resources to assist them. All of these services are provided with a focus on empowerment. The array of services we provide includes:

Intervention/Crisis Focused Services: 24-hour hotline; emergency and long-term housing; safety planning; counseling; support groups; elder abuse services; information and resource referrals; legal advocacy; court accompaniment; options counseling; procedural services such as Victim Compensation and victim impact statements, relocation assistance.

Prevention-focused Services include education programs in schools and in the community to create awareness about abuse dynamics and resources; first responder training; financial empowerment training.

Medical Advocacy training for medical providers in universal screening, identification and early intervention; outreach within the healthcare system to connect victims to resources.