FLORIDA RESOURCE CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, INC.
The Florida Resource Center for Women and Children, Inc., was founded in July, 1999 and serves as advocates for battered women and children in Palm Beach County, Florida with a concentrated effort for those who live in Riviera Beach and north as well as the Belle Glade area and provides emergency shelter and support services to victims/at risk of family violence. Our mission is to provide individuals with the opportunities for safety, positive life changes, personal growth, esteem building, education, technical assistance, case management and policy development/leadership roles in our community. We aspire to provide a standard of excellence in our programs and services that inspire mutual trust, respect and an understanding that the violence perpetrated against our clients is grounded in an abuse of power by an offender and reinforced through intimidation and coercion. We are committed to helping, healing and ending violence against women and children in our community.
Riviera Beach and Belle Glade are low-income communities that have been targeted by Palm Beach County as high crime areas with a great need for social services. There are numerous incidences of domestic violence, sexual assaults, dating violence, stalking, drug arrests, teen pregnancy and school drop-outs. Many children live in homes that are violent and they often become trapped in the cycle of violence that surrounds them and then learn to repeat violent behavior in their own relationships. Florida Department of Law Enforcement statistics from 2006 show there were 5,589 reported incidents of domestic violence in Palm Beach County including 12 murders, 97 sexual assaults, 116 stalkings/intimidation, and 5,364 assaults. Domestic violence continues to be one of the most unreported crimes; therefore, we know the amount of assaults reported is only 1/7th of the amount of actual incidents.
In Palm Beach County, we have had a 13 year old (whose mother suffered from spousal abuse) shoot and kill his teacher, many angry students bringing guns and other weapons to school and countless children turning to fighting to solve conflicts with others. Recently a staff member asked a group of 25 children (ages 7 and 8) how many of them had witnessed family violence - 21 of them raised their hands and then expressed fear and anxiety over their situations.
FRCWC exists to restore peace to violent families. We offer the support and caring that is needed to assist those who have been hurt both physically and emotionally.
********************************************************** MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Established safe emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence
Provide domestic violence training to:
Riviera Beach Police Department VA Hospital Staff City of Riviera Beach-Department Heads Palm Beach County Courthouse Staff Barry University Social Work Students Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County Columbia Hospital Health Care & Governance Staff Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County Palm Beach Community College
Collaboration with Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office, Riviera Beach Police Department and Victims Services of Palm Beach County to form North County Domestic Violence Initiative
Collaboration with Barry University Staff for Domestic Violence research in underserved population groups research, data collection and published findings
Only Palm Beach County site for Rainbow/Prism Curricula
Partner with Columbia Hospital to implement pilot community health initiative
Established and Administer West Palm Beach Housing Authority's family self- sufficency program
Partner with Susan G. Komen Foundation to provide Breast Cancer Education and Patient Navigation to victims/at-risk of Domestic Violence
Executive Director is winner of 2006 Sorotimist International Making A Difference For Women Award
Nominee for "Celebrating Solutions Awards"
Executive Director is member of the board of directors of the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County
Staff has received many honors and awards
Members of:
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Council of Palm Beach County
Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County
Crisis Management Information System
Let's stop the violence against women and children!!!