The Montgomery County Women's Center is a private non-profit organization serving the victims and survivors of family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sexual abuse in Montgomery, Harris, and Liberty counties through offices in five satellite locations. Our organization is a leader in delivering innovative programs and caring interaction to all victims and survivors whose lives have been touched by violence. The agency is well funded, widely respected, and a successful collaborator working to rebuild lives by putting an end to violence.

The MCWC operates in all respects with consideration to diversity, including, gender, age, race, religion, national origin, cultural background, disability, or sexual orientation. This policy is implemented in order that the "face" of the center, and the composition of the clients we serve, is reflective of the rich diversity of our community.

Our History
Beginning in 1980 as the "Montgomery County Rape Crisis Coalition," our organization's original purpose was to provide support services to victims of sexual assault and abuse, and to educate the public about violence in the community. In 1986, the Montgomery County Rape Crisis Coalition merged with another Montgomery County organization, Family Violence Outreach, a satellite program of the Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC). By summer of 1986, the board of directors of HAWC suggested that the advisory committee of Family Violence Outreach dissolve its relationship with HAWC and become a separate, private agency.

MCWC Is Born
At that time, Family Violence Outreach and the Montgomery County Rape Crisis Coalition merged to create the current Montgomery County Women's Center (MCWC). Under our new name, we expanded our services to include safe shelter, counseling, and support services to victims of family violence as well as sexual assault or abuse.

Since its inception in 1987, the Montgomery County Women's Center has grown exponentially. Beginning with only eight full-time staff members in 1987, we currently employ over fifty staff members, and have an annual budget of over$2.5 million. Funding sources include United Way, the Community Development Block Grant program, private donations, and various government grants and contracts.

As our message is spread throughout the community, new donations emerged and our services improved and expanded. Currently, the agency offers a variety of services that stem from three basic program areas:

Shelter for Battered Women and Children - Provides temporary shelter for victims of violence and their children. At the shelter, clients gain access to all of MCWC services.
Family Violence Outreach Program - Provides counseling, legal services, and educational scholarships to victims of violence. Operates an Hispanic outreach program that provides crisis intervention, case management and education within the Hispanic community.
Rape Crisis Program - Operates a 24/7 crisis hotline where callers can gain access to the emergency shelter and all other MCWC services. Advocacy and accompaniment within the medical, criminal justice and social service systems is provided in addition to counseling and support groups.

What Makes Us Unique?
The Women's enter has always attempted to meet as many needs as possible for victims of physical or sexual abuse in our community. Our programs and services are unique in many ways:

Free Counseling & Legal Services: MCWC is one of the few places that individuals can go to for free counseling and legal services. Additionally, we offer counseling services in five locations including rural parts of Montgomery and Liberty counties.
Scholarships: MCWC has provided $1000-$1,500 educational scholarships to clients since 1988, and has created 16 new scholarships in the past three years.
Community Relations: We have excellent working relationships and cooperative working agreements with local hospitals, law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, social service agencies, and community groups, including federal, state, and local organizations.
Educational Outreach Programs: Currently we have an anti-victimization program for middle school, junior high, and high school age students. Similar seminars about violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and domestic violence are available for local businesses, schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, churches and community groups.

The Future
We have several future goals. Our plans include:

Building a transitional housing facility for clients coming out of the emergency shelter.
A new childcare program for clients within the shelter and transitional housing programs.
Expanded outreach services to underserved communities, including men who are physically or sexually abused.
Expansion of high quality, affordable child care into the community
An on-site job-training program.
Increasing our revenue generation through innovative social entrepreneurship.
Implementation of a supervised visitation facility.