Avalon is committed to intervening in and reducing the incidence of domestic violence and sexual assault. In order to achieve this mission, Avalon offers shelter, advocacy, education, and support to survivors and fosters awareness and prevention by educating the community.

Description:
Residential Services Program
Emergency Shelter
Avalon operates a 19-bed, emergency shelter 24-hours/day. Women and children benefit from up to 45 days of safe, secure respite at no cost while receiving counseling, life-skills training, and legal advocacy. Residents are also given food, toiletries, and personal items at no cost.

Transitional Housing
When space is available, Avalon offers the opportunity to live in one of six, two-bedroom apartments for up to 2 years. All apartments are fully furnished. Transitional housing extends the duration of on-site support and services available to emergency shelter residents. Applicants must qualify for HUD subsidized housing assistance, must be employed, and able to pay a modest rent.

Children’s Services
Avalon’s Residential Coordinator helps mothers connect with resources in the community such as schools, camps, medical facilities, and academic tutors. Children’s group sessions are held bi-weekly. Birthday parties are organized on the first of every month for children staying in the shelter and transitional housing.

Life Skills Program
The Life Skills Coordinator schedules courses, such as fiscal management and interview tips/techniques, based upon each individual’s needs. Competence in such areas is necessary for women to attain and maintain meaningful employment, thus leading to a level of financial security where she can meet the day-to-day needs of herself and her children. A true community partnership, Life Skills instructors are philanthropic-minded professionals who volunteer their time, talent and expertise.

Community Outreach Program
24-Hour Helpline
Avalon’s first tier of safety and support. Trained crisis intervention personnel help victims establish safety plans and offer advocacy and referrals 24-hours/day, seven days a week. Because this is a 24-hour service, advocacy can be delivered when it is most critical, effectively contributing to breaking the cycle of violence. Operators not only facilitate the transition from a situation of immediate danger to one of safety; they are available to the entire community for questions and resources.

Community Counseling
Avalon has a separate Outreach Office where services are accessible to the entire community without compromising the confidentiality of the shelter and transitional housing location. The programs operating out of this office offer continued support to former residents of on-site programs and provide counseling and/or advocacy to clients who do not require or desire Residential Services. Furthermore, these services are available to male victims, a population who typically are overlooked, yet still need support and education to deal with violent situations.

Legal Advocacy
Avalon’s Legal Advocate, though not a lawyer, provides the most up-to-date information on domestic violence and sexual assault laws. The Legal Advocate works closely with local Victim Witness Programs to make sure that survivors are given all appropriate legal resources--particularly where protective orders are concerned. Court accompaniment is available.

School Based Prevention
Prevention and support groups are facilitated in local high schools for special needs students. These classes address all aspects of healthy relationships including anger management, conflict resolution, building self-esteem, and setting personal boundaries.

Advocacy Workshops
Avalon offers informative seminars to community, volunteer, civic, faith-based, and youth groups. Topics include Domestic and Sexual Violence Dynamics, Avalon's Services, Healthy Relationships, Teen Dating Violence, and Community Response. Presentations can be tailored to fit any age and time constraint.

History:
History
In 1979, a Task Force began as a study group at a local church and a needs assessment was completed.
By 1980, The Williamsburg Task Force on Battered Women was incorporated and became a 501©3 nonprofit. Community members willing to open their homes to women in danger was set up and served as the first means of an "emergency shelter". Recognizing a better and safer system was necessary a two-bedroom home was rented in 1983 and established as Avalon's first shelter. In 1985, the programs' services were expanded to include sexual assault. Also, the current site was purchased which increased capacity to 16 shelter beds and one transitional apartment.
Ten years after inception, the name was formally changed to Avalon: A Center for Women and Children.
The Board approved a plan to build a new emergency shelter, six transitional apartments, and a childcare center on the property. Thus, a Capital Campaign was begun in 1993. Construction on the campus began in 1998 and was completed within one year time. A joyous celebration was held in 2005, marking the organization's 25th Anniversary. Ever evolving to meet the needs of the community, Avalon's current logic model, termed the “Empowerment Walk”, was implemented in 2007 and the Life Skills Program was added as part of Avalon's services for clients in the Residential Services Program.

Contact people:

Erin Pitre, Interim Executive Director, (phone), (email) Gary Baker, Program Director, (phone), (email) Carmen Blair, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (757) 258-9523

Address:

P.O. Box 1079 Williamsburg, VA 23187

Web Site: http://www.avaloncenter.org