The Women's Transitional Living Center

A shelter for battered women and children, a homeless group

Founded in 1976, this haven for the victims of domestic violence is the oldest and one of the largest shelters in Orange County. In fact, WTLC appears to be the third shelter established in the entire nation.

Sheltered over 9,000 women and children.

Reached out to over 66,000 callers on the hotline that has been there every hour of every day since 1976. Six thousand more callers are added each year. NVTLC is there all the time for the victims of domestic abuse.

Provided the following distinctive services: Accommodates large families, as well as families with teenage boys up to the age of eighteen. Offers shelter to all language groups - a bilingual staff is on duty and interpreters are available as necessary.

Served as consultant for the formation of 150 shelters in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Through an intensive counseling program for the women and children -- Based on an individual assessment, each resident receives individual, group and family counseling.

With an Education Program developed for the distinctive needs of this abused group

By addressing both the emotional and practical needs of the residents

By providing a Career Development Program for each woman, which addresses vital economic considerations

Through an Outreach Program of counseling and other services, which reaches over two hundred and fifty families each year -- group counseling for the women is offered.

This service is for former residents, as well as for women in the community at large.

More than six million women are battered by their mates each year.

Even more children are abused each year.

A woman is battered by her partner every 8 to 15 seconds (a car is stolen every 20 seconds).

Battering is the single major cause of injury to women, exceeding rape, muggings and auto accidents combined.

At least ten women are killed by their batters every day. Criminal activity in the home--that is physical and/or sexual abuse--directly translates to criminal activity on the street.

Forty dollars provides a full day (24 hours) of counseling, along with the essential needs for shelter, food and clothing. Each woman has a counselor, a case manager, and works with the Career Development counselor.

Eighty five cents of every dollar goes directly to the program serving the women and children.

From your gifts of toys, each child (almost 300 per year) receives a welcome bag of toys upon entry. Birthdays are also a big event here. Shiny new toys make such a difference to frightened children, who most often arrive with only the clothes on their backs.

From generous food donations and gift certificates, our nutritionist plans nourishing meals. A broad selection gives the women the choice of their favorite foods for their children and themselves. This is very important to their sense of being in charge of their lives.