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Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence

General Agency Information
Name: Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Alternate Name(s): Walnut Avenue Women's Center Domestic Violence Services
Address: 303 Walnut Avenue
Santa Cruz,  CA  95060
Driving Directions
Contact Information
Primary Phone: 831-426-3062
Hotline: 866-269-2559
Email: info@wafwc.org
Website: https://www.wafwc.org
Hours
Days/Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 9-5
Details
Description: The Walnut Avenue staff and volunteer advocates are available to support survivors of domestic violence (DV) . Our advocates are trained and certified DV peer counselors and meet you where you are, responding to the needs you wish to meet. We offer a safe space for survivors to talk about the challenges and barriers that impact their lives.
Mission: The mission of the Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence Department is to break the cycle of violence through safety, healing, individual empowerment and social change. We believe that peace begins at home.
Programs: 24-Hour Bilingual Crisis Hotline:
1-866-2-MY-ALLY (69-2559)
Crisis intervention, support, resources & referrals and safety planning for survivors and their allies.

One-on-One Peer Advocacy:
Trained domestic violence advocates offer a non-judgmental environment for participants to talk about their experiences and weigh their options. Participants are supported to understand the dynamics of abuse and its' impact on their lives, nurture self-esteem, set healthy boundaries, develop safe coping skills, assess risks and create a safety plan to address their emotional, mental, spiritual and/or physical safety . Information, resources and referrals to other agencies are available as needed.

Legal Advocacy:
Our advocates assist with the preparation of restraining order paperwork and provide court accompaniment to restraining order hearings and custody mediation at no cost to our participants. Advocates may also act as liaisons between participants and members of the criminal legal system.

Support Groups:
We offer several support groups to the community. Our support groups provide a safe and confidential environment for women to meet others who have faced similar challenges and gain knowledge and tools for empowerment.

Moteling
The offsite emergency moteling program offers short term housing as participants' transition to a safe living environment.

Community Education
Educational in-services and training on domestic violence are available to agencies, businesses, schools, and organizations. Topics include general DV information, DV in the workplace and how to be an ally to survivors.

Internships/Volunteer Advocate Program
Attend our training to become a certified Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence and contribute to empowering the lives' of families impacted by abuse. As an intern with Walnut Avenue you can provide support via our hotline and have the option of also providing court accompaniment, support group facilitation, or emergency needs/intake support.
Volunteer Info: COVID-19 Disaster/Emergency Services Volunteer Opportunities:
A hotline advocate provides crisis intervention, domestic violence education, peer support, and community resources to survivors of domestic violence and their allies during a once-weekly shift on our local 24-hour hotline. Our hotline advocates provide a crucial service which benefits local survivors and their allies as well as an essential service to the functioning of Walnut Avenue's Advocacy & Prevention Department. Previous experience is not required. Training is included and meets the California legal requirements to be certified as an advocate for domestic violence survivors (California Evidence Code Section 1037).

For more information, please contact: ​Marjorie Coffey (they/them), at ​mcoffey@wafwc.org.
Languages other than English: Spanish
Accommodations for Disabled Persons: Wheelchair Access
Public Transportation: Available Within Four Blocks
Eligibility: Contact for Information
Fees: Varies
Areas Served: Santa Cruz County
Physical Location: Santa Cruz
Subject Headings
Subject Headings: Advocacy
Disaster/emergency services volunteer opportunities
Domestic Violence Hotlines
Domestic violence hotlines
Domestic Violence Issues
Domestic Violence Shelter
Domestic Violence Support Groups
Domestic/Family Violence Legal Services
Educational Programs
Family Counseling
Family Law
Group Counseling
Individual Counseling
Information and Referral
Mutual Support Groups
Parenting Education
Parenting Skills Classes
Parenting/Family Support Groups
Prevention Programs
Private Nonprofits
Workshops
This agency was last updated on March 30, 2020.