The Women's Center of Rhode Island (WCRI) is a nonprofit organization, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It was founded in 1974 and is the only center in the Providence/East Providence area serving individual women as well as mothers and their children who are victims of domestic violence.

Their mission is to end interpersonal violence, and to empower the individuals they serve thorough culturally competent programs that provide safety, shelter and court advocacy to victims of domestic violence.  They work collaboratively to prevent the occurrence of violence and to educate the community about the dynamics of violence.

The Women’s Center of Rhode Island offer residential and community based services aimed at assisting survivors of domestic violence and preventing the occurrence of violence.  Their programs include: children’s enrichment, community education and outreach, court advocacy, DELTA, and residential.

The Residential Services Program provides shelter to women and children that are victims of domestic violence.  When woman and children enter the program, they receive basic needs including shelter, food and clothing.  After an adjustment period residents work with Case Managers to develop individual goals to work on during her stay.  The goals typically include housing, legal, and medical needs as well as literacy and education, job training and employment needs and child/parenting education if applicable.  The goal is to help the resident define her own plan in becoming self sufficient including planning and budgeting for the future.

The Women’s Center of Rhode Island also has a men’s program called Men’s Initiative.  This program’s mission is to engage men in the prevention of violence against women and to promote a culture in which respect and equality prevails.

For more details about this great organization, to donate, or volunteer your time, please visit their website.