Women and Children’s Horizons – Advocating for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence
As I continue to share with you the non-profits that Love You, Kid! supports I am taken back in time nearly 50 years as a 19-year-old visiting an “at risk” family. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the reason Love You,Kid! exists is what I witnessed in that house in 1977. Note I didn’t say home. That house defined what child neglect and abuse was all about. Right then and there I said to myself if I ever have the opportunity to make a positive difference in a child’s life, I would. You could say that was the moment Love You, Kid! was born.
The Mission
The mission of Women and Children’s Horizons (WCH) is to provide support, shelter, education, training and healing services to victims of sexual and domestic abuse, their families and the community.
About Women and Children’s Horizons
Women and Children’s Horizons was incorporated in 1976 and is the oldest Incorporated shelter and services provider for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Wisconsin. Two Kenosha women Joanne Rattan and Carol Merrick incorporated the agency in 1976. They had been seeing women as mental health professionals and hearing about the family violence and the lack of resources those clients experience for years prior to. They then started meeting as groups in local restaurants. At the time, there was no emergency shelter for battered women, and neither the city nor the county provided one. So, they started their own.
Decades of Service
Today, WCH serves over 5,000 people annually. WCH is Kenosha County’s only domestic violence / sexual assault agency and has served the community’s residence for almost 50 years. Victims of domestic and sexual violence are often unfamiliar with advocacy services. Community-based advocates, such as those at WCH, offer free and confidential supportive services. These include systems advocacy, one-on-one advocacy, group support, crisis intervention, referrals to 24/7 emergency shelter and information and referrals to community resources. WCH also provides mental health treatment and social services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families.
Love You, Kid! Is proud to support such a robust and caring organization such as Women and Children’s Horizon!
