2014 Women Against Abuse Backgrounder

Contact Us

Toll-free 24-hour Hotline: 1.866.723.3014

100 South Broad Street, Suite 1341Philadelphia, PA 19110215.386.1280
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate, and nonjudgmental
services in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in
persons experiencing intimate partner violence and to lead the
struggle to end domestic violence through advocacy and community
education.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors
that adults or adolescents use to gain power and control over their
intimate partners. Abuse often follows an escalating pattern in which
the aggravating behaviors worsen over time.
Domestic violence is lethal, common, and affects people of all cultures,
religions, ages, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds and
income levels.

Physical
Emotional
Technological

Types of Domestic Violence

Financial
Sexual
Abuse by
Status
Immigration t

Learn Facts About Abuse

Studies have shown one in three women and one in seven men will
experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their
lifetime.
Furthermore, between two and four million women are physically
abused each year in the United States.
Domestic violence is one of the top three causes of homelessness
among families in the 23 major cities surveyed
Women Against Abuses Core Services
Women Against Abuses core services include Safe Haven, New Safe
Haven, a legal center, Sojourner house, Safe at Home program,

2014 Women Against Abuse Backgrounder

Philadelphia domestic violence hotline and education and training.
Since 1997, WAA has operated Philadelphia's only Safe Haven for
victims of domestic violence. After years of turning away thousands of
requests for space in its current safe haven, we will be launching a
second 100-bed New Safe Haven in spring of 2014! WAA is among
the first in the

nation to dedicate a legal center to victims of domestic violence.

Moreover, our organization operates the Sojourner House, the
region's first transitional housing program for abused women and
children. We also use the Safe at Home Program to provide survivors
with community-based aftercare services and financial assistance to
safely transition to homes in the community. WAA serves the overall
community through our Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline,
which is a 24-hour, citywide hotline, for crisis counseling, safety
planning and referrals. We also use Education and Training in order
to train professionals, students, survivors and community members to
effectively intervene in the cycle of abuse.
Who we serve:
580 survivors safely housed in emergency safe haven
42 survivors found refuge in sojourner house
144 survivors maintained safe housing through the safe at home
program
1,312 survivors served by legal center attorneys
2,635 survivors served by legal center court advocates
1,039 survivors served by legal center telephone counselors
In total, Women Against Abuse serves 15,000 individuals each
year in Philadelphia through direct services, education, outreach and
advocacy.
WAA serves a diverse population of survivors of domestic violence and
the community at large. The majority of clients receiving direct
services (including safe haven, legal aid, and transitional housing) earn
below federal poverty guidelines.

2014 Women Against Abuse Backgrounder

Upcoming Events
Men Can Rally to Stop Domestic Violence
October 18, 2014 at 11:00 am - Lutheran Settlement House,
Philadelphia
Join Lutheran Settlement House's annual rally aimed at engaging men
in speaking out about violence against women.
History
Women Against Abuse, Inc. began in the mid-1970s as a part-time
hotline in a womens center, and has grown to become one of the
leading advocates and service providers for victims of domestic
violence. Here is a brief recap:
1976: Women Against Abuse,
Inc. is founded as a part-time
domestic violence hotline in a
neighborhood womens center.
Based on the needs expressed
by hotline callers, the agency
works to create an emergency
shelter for victims and their
children.
1977: The emergency shelter
opens in a small rented house
accommodating 8-10 families.
Later that year, a legal
counseling program begins
offering victims one-on-one
support in both civil and criminal
cases.
1979: Staff grows from 6 to 26
members. The Emergency
Shelter relocates to a larger
facility donated by the City of
Philadelphia, with space for up
to 46 women and children.
1987: Sojourner House opens,
the regions first transitional
housing program for domestic
abuse survivors and their
children. It provides apartments
to 12 families at a time, for up

to two years as they transition

to independent living.
1988 1999: Establishment of
an Education and Training
Department to provide
community education and
awareness to domestic violence,
summer and after school
programs for children at the
Emergency Shelter and
Sojourner House, and legal
support for victims of domestic
violence who are immigrants.
2000: WAA launches a Disability
Legal Service Project to meet
the needs of victims with
physical and emotional
handicaps.
2005: The Philadelphia
Domestic Violence Hotline
begins, a city-wide 24-hour free
point of access for crisis
intervention, resources and intake to the Emergency Shelter.
2006: STAR (Students Talking
About Relationships) Program
launches in Philadelphia schools
to address increasing cases of
violence in teen relationships.

2014 Women Against Abuse Backgrounder

2007: Shelter expands to
accommodate 100 women and
children at a time.
2008: Launch on-site behavioral
health services at the
Emergency Shelter. Therapists
provide services to both adult
and child residents.
2009: Provide the Philadelphia
Police Department, 9-1-1
operators, and other first
responders with training on the
dynamics of domestic violence.
2010: Launch the Telephone
Outreach Project (TOP), which
provides follow-up assistance to
high-risk victims of domestic
violence after a 911 incident.
2011: Create Partnership with
Project H.O.M.E. and six
nonprofits to provide integrated

behavioral health services in a

low-income neighborhood.
2013: Complete a $3 million
renovation and expansion
project for Sojourner House,
which increased housing
capacity by 25%. WAA secures
funding to provide up to 45
households with temporary
rental assistance and subsidized
housing so that they can
transition into safe
communities.
2014: WAA will open a second
safe haven in Philadelphia for
survivors of domestic violence
and their children, doubling
Philadelphias emergency
shelter capacity for families
experiencing abuse.

Corporate Backgrounder

Meet Our Leadership Team:

Jeannine L. Lisitski, Executive
Director
Michelle Byrne, Director of Human
Resources
Nicole Drake, Director of Program
Operations
Christine Stevens, Director of Finance
Katie Young-Wildes, Director of
Advancement

Executive director speaking

at an assembly

Awards and Recognition:

2013 H. Craig Lewis Good
Governance Award
GuideStar Exchange
2012 Top-Rated by GreatNonprofits
Staff Achievements:
Director of Finance Christine Stevens wins Nonprofit CFO of the
Year
Legal Center Director Molly Callahan receives the Philadelphia
Center City Victim Advocate Award
Clinical Director Eda Kauffman receives the Deb Snyder Award
Executive Director Jeannine L. Lisitski receives the Brava! Women
Business Achievement Award
J
@ Donate: Help by giving someone the gift of safety!
J
In the coming year, Women Against Abuse needs support to
increase services and maximize resources as we lead the struggle to
end domestic violence.
Specifically, support will increase the number of victims
accessing free attorney representation through our innovative FastTrack Attorney Program. The program, which locates staff attorneys
directly in Philadelphia's courtrooms where abuse cases are heard, was
able to give 855 individuals attorney assistance last year in
comparison to 361 individuals the previous year. WAA expects more
survivors to receive high-quality attorney representation as the
program becomes further established.
Contributions will also connect victims with safe and affordable
housing.
Our communitys support has and will continue to play a pivotal role in

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increasing resources for survivors of domestic violence. Over the past
three years, Women Against Abuse's amplified advocacy efforts
highlighted the growing need for increased shelter beds for victims of
domestic violence. With further support, Women Against Abuse will
continue to advocate for increased resources for survivors, making a
tangible difference on the lives of adults and children across
throughout Philadelphia.
@ Please feel free to donate any amount online at:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?
name=waai&id=2