Support Services
  • Emergency shelter for battered women and children: Women with safety issues, not just physical injuries, are encouraged to call our shelter for assistance.

     

  • Individual and group counseling: Offers counseling options at your convenience. The Women’s Center’s counseling program offers options and empowerment counseling which is a wellness-based method that helps individuals explore ways that they can gain back control over their lives. A trained counselor is available to help survivors and their children heal and build on their strengths by offering support, exploring feelings, brainstorming options, and utilizing problem solving skills.

     

  • Emergency services are also available to men: Although men may not stay at our shelter, alternative housing can be arranged.Counseling services are also available.

     

  • Emergency pet shelter, in cooperation with local veterinarians your pet may also be removed from an abusive situation. When calling to arrange shelter mention your concerns for your pet, and arrangements will be made to make sure your pet is safe.

     

  • Medical Advocacy: Medical professional have a unique opportunity to screen and intervene in domestic violence cases, as often they are the first-line resource to battered individuals. Medical Advocates are trained individuals who aid in the response to victims by providing education on domestic violence to the medical staff in order to obtain better screening and intervention.

    Domestic violence programs and hospitals in PA are collaborating on the medical advocacy efforts. Through state funding, five domestic violence programs and their local hospitals have initiated and demonstrated successful projects. The Women’s Center, Inc. of Columbia/Montour counties works in conjunction with the Geisinger Medical Center, The Bloomsburg Hospital and The Berwick Hospital in providing this support service.

    The Geisinger program began in 1994. It is one of five in the state to have developed a protocol to handle and recognize the signs/symptoms of domestic violence and its victims in the emergency department. The Bloomsburg Hospital program began in 1998 with similar goals and accomplishments.

    In recent years, the medical response to victims has drastically improved as a result of the Medical Advocacy programs and other advocacy efforts within the domestic violence movement. Some of the education sessions provided by The Women’s Center Medical Advocacy programs include: Domestic Violence Signs & Symptoms, Sexual Assault Signs & Symptoms, Professional’s Response to Domestic Violence, Documentation, Active Listening, EMT/EMS Response to Domestic Violence. Education programs are constantly being reviewed, revised and written to accommodate the needs of the hospital staff’s needs.

     

  • Support groups: Support groups offer a means for survivors to share their experience, strength and hope with each other in a supportive environment. Both children’s and adult groups are offered, as well as groups for friends and non-offending family members of survivors. The Women’s Center offers several support groups at various times to accommodate client schedules. Call 784-6631 or 1-800-544-8293 for more information and to hear about support groups currently being offered.

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  • Safety Planning: A trained staff member will work with you and try to work out a safety plan that best fit your needs.

     

  • Advocacy and accompaniment to police, hospital, legal appointments, court, and social service agencies.                     

    • The Women’s Center, Inc.
    Support Groups

    Parent Sharing Group                                      
    Monday 6-7pm                                                                                                                      Child Self-Esteem Activity provided during group times.                                                   

    Trauma Group              

     Helps women deal with posttraumatic stress issues.                                                       Presented in conjunction with Psychological Services.                                                          Tuesday 4 - 5:30pm 

    Child Self-Esteem Activity provided during group times .            

    For more information please call: Grace  at 784-6631
     
    Women Supporting Women Group                            Empowerment group for domestic and sexual violence survivors.                        Wedenesdays 6:00-7:15pm                                                  Child Self -Esteem Activity provided during group times.

    Sexual Assault Survivors Group
    Geared towards the healing and recovery of adult sexual assault survivors.
    Thursday 1-2 pm
    Child Self-Esteem Activity provided during group times.


     Domestic Violence Survivors Group
    Geared towards the healing and recovery of adult domestic violence survivors.
    Thursday 4-5 pm
    Child Self-Esteem Activity provided during group times

    Pre-registration is required for all groups.
    Please call: (570)784-6631 or 1-800-544-8293 to register.  

    Updated: 2/08        

             
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

                                                 

                                                                                   

     






                   24 Hour Emergency Hotline: (800)544-8293 or (570)784-6631
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