The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter (BWCS)

24 Hour Crisis Hotline 210-733-8810

FVPS operates a 24-hour, 365 day, hotline to provide immediate assistance to victims of family violence. Crisis calls include an assessment of critical needs, crisis intervention, education, information and referrals.

Comprehensive Case Management

Clients are assigned a case manager to assist them during their stay at the BWCS. The case manager’s primary responsibility is to promote the well being of BWCS clients. They draw on their knowledge, values and skills to help residents in need and to address the many issues clients face when leaving an abusive relationship. Case managers collaborate with the clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals while respecting and promoting the right of clients to self-determination.

Children’s Program

BWCS Children’s Program offers an array of activities. The Children’s Program staff has developed and implemented a children’s program that includes individual and group activities and offers recreational and social activities, counseling and discussions about family violence. FVPS provides individual counseling to BWCS children and teens through holistic, eclectic and therapeutic approaches including music therapy, play therapy, and pet therapy.

Individual Counseling

Adults and children are provided with individual counseling by professionals with extensive training in family violence services.

Emergency Food & Clothing

BWCS provides emergency food, clothing, personal care items, and baby and child personal care items for use by clients.

Legal Advocacy & Referral

FVPS provides BWCS clients legal advocacy onsite. The Legal Advocate assists residents and non-residents with filing police reports, photos, and referrals for immigration issues and child support. An advocate from the District Attorney’s Office is on site twice weekly to assist clients with protective orders. The staff attorneys provide legal services at the shelter related to divorce, custody, and other family law matters at no cost to the client.

Primary Medical and Dental Care

BWCS residents and their children are provided with a primary medical and dental care through a full service clinic located on BWCS premises. The clinic also assists with prescriptions and referrals for specialized health needs.

Parent Education Program

The Middle Way Parent Education program provides information for parents including effective communication, nurturing themselves and their children, increasing self-esteem, and child development stages. This nationally acclaimed curriculum has been used with over 25,000 families. Groups meet two times weekly. Graduates of the program are invited to become Parent Leaders in the shelter community.

Educational Workshops & Support Groups

BWCS residents have access to an array of educational workshops and support groups facilitated by counselors, BWCS staff, and other professionals. Groups focus on understanding and support with active listening, building self-esteem, problem solving and life skills. There are also numerous presentations on legal matters, nutrition, education, and employment opportunities by both BWCS staff and community agency representatives.

Providing Options With Educational Resources (P.O.W.E.R.) Program

FVPS provides an educational program to the residents of BWCS. This program includes a Job Readiness course, GED, Computer Literacy, English as a Second Language, and a Financial Literacy Course developed for women.