Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
Encyclopedia
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, and provides services for victims of domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
. It was one of the first six centers for domestic violence to be established in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Women's Center works in conjunction with Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and surrounding municipalities to provide the best possible care and support for victims of domestic abuse.
Overview
The Women's Center is a resource for close to 10,000 individuals per year seeking refuge from domestic violence. Although the vast majority of its benefactors are women and children, the center also has resources available to help men that have suffered abuse. The center is much more than simply a "shelter" for those in need. It is a resource for providing step-by-step legal guidance, dispute resolution, counseling, child-care and child violence alternative programs. Most recently pop-star Christina AguileraChristina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, a native of the Pittsburgh area, put the Women's Center on the world map by making several large and public donations to its cause. She has also made several surprise appearances to volunteer her time and energy to the organization.
Programs & Services
The Women's Center has several departments and programs that are designed to cater to the individual needs of domestic violence victims. All services provided by the center are free and confidential. Some programs available through the Women's Center include:- 24-Hour Hotline
- Emergency Shelter
- Legal Advocacy
- Medical Advocacy
- Individual and Group Support Sessions
- Children's Counseling Center