"Everyone deserves to be in a healthy relationship," says Beatrice Black, Chief Executive Officer of the Women's & Children's Alliance (WCA), which provides safety to domestic abuse and sexual assault victims; healing through therapy services, support groups, and client advocacy; and freedom through life skills classes.
“The WCA provides safe shelter to those fleeing domestically violent and abusive households, 24/7 hotline support, counseling —both individual and group sessions — case management, financial empowerment education, child care, safety planning and court advocacy,” shares Black. “In addition, we have a small prevention team that provides classes on healthy relationships to help our young people understand how to set boundaries and hopefully avoid getting into an abusive relationship. We also have a contract with Idaho Legal Aid to provide pro bono legal services to our clients.”
“We are here to serve EVERYONE, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language or nationality,” states Black. “We will work to try and overcome any barriers (like finding interpreters so language does not prevent us from being able to provide a needed service).”
WCA serves four counties representing 30% of Idaho’s population. The WCA provides services for women, children and men, noting that one in four women and one in seven men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
People don't often associate violence or domestic abuse with men being victims. In fact, 17-to-20% of the people the WCA serves every year are men.
“In 2022 we answered over 3,500 calls to our hotline, helped with the filing of 1,691 civil protection orders, providing, in total, close to 20,000 services to over 5,000 individuals,” shares Black. “These numbers do not include group participation numbers or the number of individuals served by our contract attorneys. Nor do they include the number of students impacted by the work done in small groups and classroom settings by our prevention team.”
The need for their services is increasing.
These statistics are shocking, but more disturbing are the stories behind the numbers. A few years ago, I brought a friend and her son to the WCA. She had been in an abusive marriage for nearly 20 years. As we sat in the lobby, my friend gazed at a sign with the message, “Embrace Change.” Her voice barely audible, she said, “I stayed here with my son about 15 years ago.” We both knew this visit would be different.
All WCA’s services are free. WCA is funded about 50% with grants and 50% with private donations. But grants are not always reliable. Clearly, the WCA does important work, but much of that work is dependent upon donations from individuals and corporations and volunteer hours. “We can use your time, talent and/or treasure!” states Black. “We are so grateful to our community for the many ways they support us. Dollars are always needed.”
My friend obtained her divorce with the help of the WCA, breaking the cycle of violence which she endured for nearly two decades. One of the most impactful stories Black experienced working with the WCA is “the transformation I was able to witness of a single mom and her three daughters as they were able to benefit from all our services.” The family came into WCA’s shelter with very dysfunctional relationships but emerged with a mom “who had gained self assurance, developed a positive relationship with her daughters who came to respect her and support her, while also gaining the skills to obtain a job which then led to them being able to find housing and move forward in a very positive way with their lives. To witness the difference in behaviors - this was such a testament to the WCA team I have the privilege of working with every day.”
You can help someone in need by carrying wallet cards that features the WCA Crisis Line 208-343-7025 and urges, “If you think you are being abused, seek help immediately!” Abuse is not always physical. It can be emotional too. It’s an issue of control. The card from the WCA says, “You may be in an abusive relationship if your spouse, partner, or a family member tells you jealousy is a sign of love.”
WCA’s 24-Hour Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Hotline: 208-343-7025.
All of their services are free.
WCA's virtual mission tour helps viewers learn about the presence and extent of domestic violence in the Treasure Valley, as well as how their programs aid the people who come to them for help. Private in person tours are available upon request. 208-343-3688
At Grove Plaza in downtown Boise, visit the holiday Giving Tree which is surrounded with over 4,000 gift tags with a wish list item from someone the WCA serves. Take a tag and drop off your new, unwrapped gift at:
720 W Washington St
Boise, ID 83702
Donations must be dropped off by Friday, December 15th to ensure delivery to WCA families in time for Christmas! Companies can request tags for their own tree.
Thursday, December 14th: Concert for Cause at Knitting Factory benefits the WCA with silent and live auctions and more.
Visit the Website for more info on events: wcaboise.org
"Everyone deserves to be in a healthy relationship," says Beatrice Black, chief executive officer of the Women's & Children's Alliance (WCA). “We are here to serve EVERYONE, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, language or nationality. We will work to try and overcome any barriers (like finding interpreters so language does not prevent us from being able to provide a needed service). We are so grateful to our community for the many ways they support us. We can use your time, talent and/or treasure!"
