Women's Center of Beaver County History

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1975 to 1980	1981 to 1985	1986 to 1990
1991 to 1995	1996 to 2001	2002 to 2003 2004-Present

1975 to 1980 First Task force formed to stop domestic violence Task Force presents idea of a Women's Center to Beaver County Commissioners in December 1975 Storefront address in Rochester in early 1976 House rented in Beaver Falls for use as shelter Grant received from Beaver Butler Presbytery Joan Thompson is first Director of Women's Center, as a volunteer Protection from Abuse Act passed by Pennsylvania Legislature in 1976 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape works to secure passage of recodification of sexual assault statutes, including Rape Shield Law First Advisory Committee is formed and applies to United Way for funding First Annual Board Dinner held at Pappan's Restaurant in 1978 Center moves to Rochester in 1978 Darlene Parisi Dunn is hired as Executive Director in 1978 Board President Barb Linko attends Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape Conference Center answers Drug & Alcohol hotline in evenings and weekends for $30/month Executive Director attends Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence meetings Women's Center of Beaver County is granted full membership status with the United Way. Back to Top 1981 to 1985 Center publishes first newsletter Unlimited confidentiality for victims of sexual assault signed into law, first in nation Women's Center purchases Merriman residence from Geneva College and moves to present location in Beaver in 1981 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape funding received by Center Women's Center hosts Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence meeting First Volunteer Coordinator is hired First Foster Grandmother is placed at the Center Al-Anon meetings are started at the Center for the general public Emergency room liaison between the Center and the Medical Center established First Children's Counselor hired Outreach started in the schools with "Better Safe Than Sorry" program After hours crisis hotline answered at the Center for the Victim Witness Office Back to Top 1986 to 1990 First video taping of a child sexual assault victim's testimony Outreach office in Franklin Center, Aliquippa opened in 1986 Probable Cause Arrest Statute adopted by Pennsylvania Legislature Pat Trombley hired as Executive Director Air conditioning is installed in shelter building - Whew! Funding received from Children & Youth Services for Child Assault Prevention Program Volunteer Recognition Dinner reinitiated and held at American Serbian Club in Midland House next to shelter is purchased with grant funds Back to Top 1991 to 1995 Jill Marsilio-Colonna hired as Executive Director Annex Building undergoes extensive renovations Fifteenth Anniversary Dinner held at Fez Lounge, Aliquippa First "Clarissa" awards given in honor of volunteer and Board member Clarissa Price and first Community Appreciation Awards Presented in 1981 Staff grows to 23 Playground installed in yard of Annex with donations and grant from Representative Veon Staff moves into Annex building in 1992 Extensive renovations in Shelter include handicapped accessible bathroom and bedroom, children's activity room, new plumbing, and electrical work First Women's Only Golf Outing held at Beaver Valley Country Club Domestic Violence Task Force is formed with co-sponsorship of District Attorney Theresa Ferris-Dukovich Five year Strategic Plan developed by Board of Directors Students from Vo-Tech school renovate shelter dorm bedroom The Violence Against Women Act is signed Violence Free Healthy Choices for Kids school program begins with male and female co-facilitators "Take Back the Night" program features unveiling of a "Survivors Wall" quilt Display depicting domestic violence as a "war against American women" developed Tree planted at Beaver County Courthouse with plaque dedicated to all survivors "No Means No" becomes law in Pennsylvania, creates new second degree felony offense of sexual assault Back to Top 1996 to 2001 Funding grants now number 15 First therapist hired Addition put onto Annex building Accounting and statistical data becomes fully computerized Board and staff develop 5 year strategic plan Solicitor, Kathryn Johnston, is hired County-wide STOP Violence Against Women project implemented Center's first logo chosen from VoTech student contest 20th anniversary dinner held at Beaver Valley Country Club in 1996 Open House held in Shelter and Annex in 1998 "Day in the Park" event features clothesline project and survivors quilts Continuum of services developed, organizational structure re-defined to focus on client centered services Building purchased and completely renovated into apartments for transitional housing program, "Housewarming Shower" held Open House held at new Transitional House. Transitional housing program opens with three families in July 2001 Trainings held for law enforcement, social services professionals Operating budget reaches one million dollars and staff grows to 30 Back to Top 2002-2003 Support groups offered to female inmates at Beaver County Jail A Tobacco Prevention Project was implemented from Drug & Alcohol Program Technology Improvement Grant provided new computers & a server for staff access to e-mail & internet Prevention education programs presented to Allencrest & 801 Bypass youth 12th Annual Women's Golf Outing held at Black Hawk Golf Course First Women's Center 5K Run held in Beaver Day in the Park held in September to raise awareness of sexual & domestic violence New cabinets & counter tops installed in shelter kitchen & new floor in Annex First full time male staff hired Large print Women's Center brochure developed & printed 2004-present 30th Anniversary gala was held on March 23, 2007 at the Lincoln Performing Arts School in Midland, PA
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