Viviana explained that the Montgomery County Women’s Center (MCWC) has been committed for many years to providing a 24-hour hotline, safe shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and legal services to survivors of family violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The agency was incorporated as the Montgomery County Rape Crisis Coalition in 1982. As the goals of the agency expanded, the name was changed in 1986 to the Montgomery County Women’s Center (the “Women’s Center”). They have been serving Montgomery County and surrounding counties for over 30 years. MCWC is a non-profit 501c3 organization.
MCWC provides services to clients in the following primary program areas:
- Residential Programs including Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing
- Community and School-based Educational Outreach Programs
- Legal Services
- Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy
- Individual Counseling and Support Groups
- Walk-ins are welcome for crisis intervention and advocacy at their locations in Conroe or The Woodlands, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Their shelter has been providing a safe emergency refuge for abused women and children for over 30 years. The shelter can house up to 75 women and children each night. MCWC also offers a 24-hour crisis hotline.
All of their services are provided at no cost with the exception of income-based rent for transitional housing. Reaching Pines, a 24-unit apartment facility, offers qualifying women a minimal rent, as well as counseling and advocacy, for up to 24 months.
The Women’s Center provides direct services to clients who are of many diverse backgrounds, and they do not discriminate against any person on the basis of gender, age, race, religion, national origin, cultural background, disability or sexual orientation.
Their mission is to lead the effort in preventing domestic violence and sexual assault through crisis intervention, assistance, advocacy, empowerment and social change.
Viviana explained that her job mainly consists of educating the community about their agency and what services it offers. She pointed out that they have found out over the years that about 73% of their cases involve children. To that end, they have become involved with local schools and teach a number of health classes since almost all students are required to take a health class at some point in their high school years. Also, they do not teach children who are not in the 7th grade or older. If a minor is involved in any domestic or sexual violence situation, by law, they have to notify the local law enforcement agency about that situation. MCWC is also involved in local colleges for the same reasons.
Viviana pointed out that she had become involved in the agency initially by volunteering and that they can always use volunteers if anyone is interested. She handed out pamphlets that contained contact information. For more information, please go to www.mcwctx.org.
