NON-PROFIT SPOT LIGHT
W
omen Together Foundation Inc. (Mujeres Unidas) is a non-profit 501c3 organization that has been in operation for forty-five years and is the only provider of emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Hidalgo County. The Mujeres Unidas Emergency Shelter is located in Hidalgo County and has 45 beds, accommodating up to twelve families. The Emergency Shelter provides a safe place to victims of family violence who are fleeing their homes seeking safety. Shelter staff provide advocacy in a safe and comfortable environment through crisis intervention services, safety planning, case management, transportation, individual and group counseling, referrals to medical facilities, and linkage to other social service agencies and community resources. Shelter advocates assist families seeking public housing and/or referral to the Mujeres Unidas Transitional Housing Program. The Mujeres Unidas Transitional Housing Program (Nueva Vida), built in 2002, is a sixteen-unit apartment complex in McAllen, Texas. Nueva Vida is the only transitional housing program South of San Antonio that provides long-term housing (between 18 and 24 months) for women and their
90
www.socialifeRGV.com
children who have left the abusive relationship and need time to focus on attaining their goals to help them become independent and self-sufficient. The Nueva Vida Caseworker coordinates the program activities such as monthly Life Skills sessions, GED, ESL, wellness events, and holiday parties. The Mujeres Unidas Family Justice Center, located at 511 N. Cynthia Street in McAllen, was built as a one-stop place where victims can access an array of services such as crisis intervention counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, support groups and referrals to community resources. Also available are the Men’s Group Counseling sessions offered at the McAllen Satellite Outreach office. A toll-free Crisis Hotline is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, to victims of family violence and sexual assault within Hidalgo and Starr County. Victim services are free and confidential. For more information, visit www.mujeresunidag.org or call 800-580-4879 / 956-630-4878.
