the Crisis Center BAY CITY

What is the Crisis Center The Crisis Centeris a community-based, volunteer-supported organization that provides shelter and support to victims of family violence, child abuse and sexual assault in Matagorda and Wharton Counties. The Matagorda County Women’s Crisis Center, DBA The Crisis Center, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Since its beginning in 1984, The Crisis Center has consistently grown because of the commitment of local volunteers and the high level of community involvement. The Crisis Centeris funded by Federal and State grants, City and County funds, foundation grant support, local and regional businesses, the United Way and many generous individuals. Mission The Mission of The Crisis Center is to create an environment where violence and abuse are not tolerated in the communities we serve by providing crisis intervention services to victims of family violence, sexual assault and child abuse, including providing awareness and prevention services to the community. Purpose Our Purpose is to encourage victims to seek crisis intervention services, promote awareness thereof, and to educate our communities regarding the dynamics of family violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Vision The Vision of The Crisis Center is that victims of family violence, sexual assault and child abuse can achieve a life free from violence, to become self-sufficient, and that our community would actively participate and assist the Center in obtaining our goal of zero tolerance for family violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in our community, which includes holding perpetrators accountable for their acts of violence. History The Crisis Center in Matagorda and Wharton Counties began as a Women’s Crisis Center in 1983 from the vision of Shirley Franklin, a local Municipal County Clerk who saw the need and worked to find a solution. In 1984, The Matagorda County Women’s Crisis Center was founded. Twenty-five women completed 40 hours of training and became volunteers that year. A small office was opened in the Matagorda General Hospital until 1985 when it was moved to 6th street. We received our 501(c)(3) designation in the fall of 1985. In 1987, the Center opened a 12-bed shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. A grant in 1988 allowed us to expand the shelter to a 30-bed residential facility. Also in 1988, the Helping Hands Boutique was established. Services were extended into Wharton County in 1990 and a satellite office was opened at the Gulf Coast Medical Center. Grants and donations received that year allowed us to build our current office/resale shop complex. By the end of 1990, the Center had received 5004 Crisis Hotline calls and sheltered 631 clients. Today In 2012, There were 627 cases of child sexual and physical abuse investigated in Wharton and Matagorda Counties. Of these, indictments were served on 287 with 51 cases being prosecuted. The Children’s Advocacy Center provided services to 100 of these children. 3010 6th Street P.O. Box 1820 Bay City, TX 77414 Local Crisis Line: 979-245-9299 CAC Line: 979-245-2819 Wharton County 116 E. Burleson Street Wharton, TX 77488 Local Crisis Line: 979-531-1300 CAC Line: 979-532-1994 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-800-451-9235