SWIC Services
All services are
free, confidential and
provided to all victims
regardless of sex.
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Email Us
swicagency@comcast.net
Fax: 570.628.1836
Schuylkill Women
in Crisis
P.O. Box 96
Pottsville, PA 17901
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Quarter Century Capital Campaign Building on Our Past... for Our Community's Future As Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWIC) enters its 25th year of service to Schuylkill County, it is embarking on the Quarter Century Capital Campaign. Funds raised in this capital campaign will enable SWIC to meet the needs of domestic violence victims, regardless of gender, over the next decade. While SWIC provides refuge to Schuylkill County women and children left homeless as a result of domestic violence, the agency also offers comprehensive services to address victims' needs beyond shelter. Priorities of the Quarter Century Capital Campaign · To provide shelter for an additional 15 Schuylkill County women and children, homeless as a result of domestic violence. A residential wing will be added to the existing shelter, which will also include facilities for counseling, education, food services, and activities that promote the reestablishment of normal mother/child interactions for residents and their children. Goal: $1.6 million. · To expand our collaborative efforts with the community. SWIC provides important collaborations with other community organizations in areas of education, legal services, health care, and workplace education to serve the needs of domestic violence victims. Goal: $300,000. · To bring SWIC's information technology system up to current standards. Technological improvements are necessary to access information and secure funding from a variety of federal and state government and foundation sources. Improvements to SWIC's information technology system will also serve the educational needs of clients and enable SWIC to inform clients of potential stalking and abuse risks posed by the internet. Goal: $100,000. Service Statistics for 2006-2007 · More than 1,100 area victims received SWIC services in 2006-2007. · SWIC provided 2,646 days of shelter for women and children who were homeless as a result of domestic violence. · 34 women and 42 children were unable to come to the shelter during the times it was filled to capacity in the past two years. · 5,000 hours of counseling were provided for women and children that included Protection from Abuse orders, personal, and educational/career counseling. · Long-term transitional housing served as residence to four families, homeless as a result of domestic violence. With the opening of new transitional housing in November 2007, four additional families have homes. Domestic violence happens to individuals of every age, race, religion, income, education, profession, and sexual orientation. No one is immune to this problem. Domestic violence hurts more than the victim. Its rippling effects impact the lives of victims' children, family members, co-workers, employers, and the entire community. Therefore, SWIC must remain able to offer accessible, comprehensive, quality service. Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWIC) was founded in 1983, its roots established in Schuylkill County Task Force on Abused Women. The Task Force was an organization formed by local individuals who started a 24-hour hotline, which provided the means for victims of domestic violence to receive supportive crisis counseling, information and referral regarding available options, and a way to address their isolation. As a result of community support, SWIC's free and confidential services have grown to include:
Despite more than two decades of efforts, SWIC's services are still greatly needed. WHY? · Domestic violence is a learned behavior. Children who witness or experience abuse may be more likely to grow up to be abusers or victims. They learn that physical violence is a suitable way to handle conflict and they imitate the behavior they see. · More victims seek help now that SWIC has helped to de-stigmatize the victim. Previously, many domestic violence cases were unreported - often due to the victim's low self esteem and shame. Unreported cases perpetuate the cycle of violence - continuing to put our community at risk. · Victims of domestic violence realize that others care about their plight when they see the commitment that contributors and supporters make to SWIC. This lessens the victim's isolation, bred and fueled by the abusive relationship, and the victim gains the confidence to call SWIC and break the cycle of violence. · Increased collaboration with community partners (e.g., health care, educational, legal, religious, and workplace) aimed at the early identification and referral of victims has resulted in more referrals to the agency for assistance. · Despite a severely limited advertising budget, SWIC has worked diligently to foster a visible presence in the community, thus affording more victims the opportunity to learn about and use SWIC’s services. As the community becomes more knowledgeable regarding the dynamics and impact of domestic violence, increasing numbers of victims, and those close to them, are seeking quality, comprehensive services. SWIC is the only agency that offers comprehensive help to Schuylkill County residents who are affected by domestic violence. The Quarter Century Capital Campaign will enable SWIC to continue to meet the needs of domestic violence victims over the next decade. Click here for Tax Credit Information. Sarah T. Casey, Exec. Dir. at (570)622-3991 Schuylkill Women in Crisis P.O. Box 96 Pottsville, PA 17901 
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Understanding
the Dynamics of
Domestic Violence
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Safety Planning
Information for Victims
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Protection from
Abuse Orders (PFA)s
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Quarter Century
Capital Campaign
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$1 Million Challenge
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Zero Tolerance of
Violence Against
Women/Children
Campaign
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Legislation
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Volunteering
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