From Grassroots Effort to Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) began in 1975 as a grassroots effort to serve survivors of domestic and sexual violence, utilizing an all-volunteer staff. In the early 1990s, the WRC made a commitment to increase access to its services and began to shift to a decentralized service delivery model that focused on providing services in communities throughout its service area.
Over the next 10 years, the emergency shelter program moved into a larger facility, increasing capacity from 12 to 22 beds. The WRC also began its transitional housing program, which currently offers housing and supportive services throughout its service area in agency-owned facilities and through rental subsidies to third-party landlords.
In 1993, the WRC established the third Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program in the state of Michigan and the first program to be implemented in a rural area of Michigan. The WRC partnered with Munson Medical Center and local law enforcement agencies to implement this program.
In the 2000s, the WRC gave a strong commitment to building community partnerships in the public and private sectors so survivors and their children could access the resources they need to remain in their home communities safely.
Fostering a Caring Community
The Women’s Resource Center has been helping victims of sexual and domestic violence for over 40 years. After four decades of service, the WRC is known as the area’s primary service provider for domestic and sexual violence survivors, assisting residential and non-residential clients with support, advocacy and immediate crisis intervention. The agency is also the acknowledged area expert on sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking and annually provides approximately 150 public awareness, prevention, education and awareness activities for allied professionals and agencies, civic groups and schools.
In 2004, the WRC’s Doula Teen Parent Program formed a partnership with the Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) to expand its baby pantry and strengthen the program.
Annual Report FY 2021-2022
View our Annual Report here.
