The Women's Center

A HUGE thank you to all of the generous donors and volunteers who helped make this year's Back-to-School Donation Drive and client party a moment for families to remember! Whether kids were getting their faces painted, having their hair trimmed, tie-dyeing t-shirts, or enjoying gelato - everyone had a great time and dozens of families are now prepared for the new school year thanks to you!

We are so grateful for Dr. Merkow's friendship and support over the years! We wish her a long and happy retirement 😀🥳

❗☎️ ATTENTION: Please be aware that The Women's Center toll-free Hotline at 888.542.3828 is unavailable. Please be advised that this number has been hijacked by scammers looking for personal information for fraudulent purposes (it is just the toll-free number affected, not our direct number). For anyone in need of TWC services who cannot make a direct call to our 24-Hour Hotline at 262.542.3828, please email us at [email protected]. If you need to connect with an Advocate, please visit us in person at 505 N. East. Ave. in Waukesha during our regular business hours.

All hands on deck! We are still in need of a number of items for our back to school drive. We will be handing out backpacks on Friday so ask that you drop off your donations by TOMORROW afternoon. For larger donations, please call ahead using our 24-Hour Hotline at 262.542.3828.

https://twcwaukesha.org/back-to-school-drive/

Are you looking for a way to give back to the community and enjoy gardening? This is the opportunity for you! TWC is looking for volunteers of all skill levels to help maintain our outdoor space and ensure our Peace Garden remains a serene respite for our clients and their kids.

To sign up, call or email our Volunteer Coordinator Alex at 262.522.3845 or [email protected].

There's still time to register for the LOTUS Untold Stories writing workshop! This is a FREE 2.5-hour workshop for survivors of sexual violence and trafficking that focuses on the healing aspects of creative writing to process trauma in a safe and supportive environment. Register by 8/8 by calling our 24-Hour Hotline at 262.542.3828.

Every Monday night we host a support group for survivors of sexual trauma. A trained Advocate helps process trauma and explore how to heal in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment. To register for this group, please call 262.542.3828. There is no cost to participate and free childcare is available by appointment.

Back-to-School season is in full swing and we need your help! The vast majority of our clients live below the poverty line meaning providing new school supplies at the start of the school year can be an added stressor. That and the fact that many of our families have had to leave their homes leaving behind many of the basic items needed for school. We want to remove this barrier and make the kids we serve feel special this September.

Help us gather the supplies they need for the entire year by shopping our wish lists!

www.target.com

New workshop on August 15th! LOTUS Untold Stories is a 2.5-hour writing workshop developed by Legal Clinic to heal and empower survivors of sexual violence and trafficking through creative writing and poetry. This is a FREE workshop and notebooks & pens are provided. Register before August 8th by calling 262.542.3828.

Are you shopping deals tomorrow? Don't forget to order from TWC's wishlist! We're in high need of backpacks, wireless headphones, and more! Shop now at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WL3ZYMXVAMHH/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex or scan the QR code now!

TWC needs your help to refill our stock of high-need items! To donate, please check our wish lists here: www.twcwaukesha.org/get-involved/donation-wish-list/
For donors who purchase items from our Amazon or Walmart wish lists, please provide your name and email or mailing address in the gift receipt note for tax acknowledgment. Thank you for all of your generous support!

Are you looking to make a direct impact in our community? Volunteer with us at TWC! Whether helping our shelter, answering Hotline calls, looking after kids in childcare, or serving as an On-Call Advocate, your involvement can change lives. ALL direct service volunteers must complete Advocate Training and register in advance. Ready to learn more and join our mission? Visit twcwaukesha.org/get-involved/volunteer today!

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful 4th of July! Our administrative and walk-in services will be closed today, but our shelter and 24-Hour Hotline are available. Call our 24-Hour Hotline any time at 262.542.3828.

Thank you to PyraMax Bank for an incredible $1,000 donation! Your support allows us to provide lifesaving services to those impacted by child abuse, trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault.

Have you been searching for a way to give back to the community and make a direct impact on those in need? You are in luck! TWC is hosting new Advocate Training for those interested in volunteering in our shelter, childcare, on the 24-hour Hotline or as an On-Call Advocate (OCA). Take a look at the volunteer opportunities and sign up for a training slot in the link! >> twcwaukesha.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Today is Juneteenth, a day to recognize the ongoing fight for equality and freedom for Black Americans. Juneteenth is a day to honor liberation and a reminder of the work that remains to achieve true racial justice and equity. We encourage our non-BIPOC staff, Advocates, and community partners to use today to educate themselves and others about the history of slavery and the ongoing oppression of BIPOC communities.

In recognition of this, our administrative offices will be closed. Our 24 Hour Hotline is always available today and every day, 262-542-3828.

https://www.juneteenthmilwaukee.com/
https://www.abhmuseum.org/events/abhm-presents-juneteenth/

School may have just ended for your kiddos, but we are already prepping for the back-to-school season at TWC! This summer, we’re gearing up to ensure the children we support have all the supplies they need to succeed this upcoming school year.

Help by taking part in our Back-to-School Drive! For more information, visit: twcwaukesha.org/back-to-school-drive

A message to this year's graduating class - remember the steps you've taken, acknowledge the work you've done, and recognize how far you've grown. Graduating can be an extra challenge for survivors of abuse and assault, over 66% of whom report that verbal abuse alone causes damaging disruptions to their studies. For survivors who stepped back from school to focus on healing - you, too, deserve recognition for the hard work you've accomplished.

If you or someone you know are dealing with the aftermath of abuse and are struggling with how to move forward, please call our 24-Hour Hotline at 262.542.3828 and speak with an Advocate now.

TWC needs your help to refill our stock of high-need items! Check out our here: https://twcwaukesha.org/get-involved/donation-wish-list/

If you are in the Waukesha area next Saturday, June 15, come to the Porsche Car Show and support The Women's Center! Enjoy food by Smokin' Jack's Barbeque and New Baron's Brewing, and music from DJ Quadi!

Admission is free but donations are encouraged. RSVP by June 13th to receive food and drink tickets.

Date: Saturday, June 15th
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 2228 E. Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53186

Porsche Waukesha Car Show & Fundraiser Join us at Porsche Waukesha for a car show supporting the Waukesha Women's Center. Enjoy BBQ, brews, and DJ Quadi. RSVP by June 13th!

Are you attending this year's Milwaukee ? Come visit TWC's resource table at the Health and Wellness area by the U.S. Cellular stage and meet some of our incredibly talented Advocates! Stop by our table on Friday from 3:00-9:00 PM and Saturday from 12:00-9:00 PM.

Thank you to the Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly for choosing The Women's Center as their charity of the month and raising over $5,200! Your support means more victims and families can reach safety and thrive after surviving abuse. Thank you!

In recognition of Memorial Day, TWC's first floor walk-in services and administrative offices will be closed. Our 24-Hour Hotline and Emergency Shelter will remain fully operational to provide resources and refuge to survivors seeking safety.

Why did it take a video going public showing Diddy brutally attacking Cassie for him to issue a public apology? Likely because he thought without it, it was his word against hers, and his reputation, power, and money meant that his version would be believed. Unfortunately, he was probably right. Society is far more likely to believe the narratives peddled by abusers, that this is just a woman scorned, out for money, or to ruin an innocent man's reputation and career.

But Cassie, like countless other victims, should have been believed from the start when these allegations first appeared months ago; her description of the events is almost identical to the ones in the video. This isn't shocking to those of us who work with victims every day, because we know that people lie about domestic abuse and assault all the time. However, it is rarely the victim who is lying; it's the perpetrators who deny that it happened or is happening.

You don't have to watch the video to know that Cassie is the victim here. No one should have to watch it. Because they should have believed her the first time. At TWC, we will always believe you, and we will always "be your people." If you or someone you know has been affected by any of these issues, call our 24-Hour Hotline 262.542.3828

An alarming 70% of r**e and sexual assault victims experience symptoms of mental distress - a statistic higher than any other violent crime. Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of, but it is something to talk about. If you or someone you know has been affected by r**e or sexual assault, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 262.542.3828.

What are some common mistakes that cause restraining orders to be denied? Hear from TWC Advocacy Director Krystal Chase as she sits down with TMJ4 News to discuss how we walk victims through the paperwork needed to file a restraining order and what may cause a TRO to be denied.

https://www.tmj4.com/news/waukesha-county/waukesha-domestic-violence-advocate-the-common-mistakes-that-can-deny-retraining-orders

To all the moms and mother figures in our lives: Happy Mother’s Day!