YWCA Billings provides lifesaving and life-changing services to victims of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking. All services are free and include emergency shelter, 24-hour text and phone support, legal advice on civil matters, assistance in securing affordable housing, and counseling regarding safety plans, finances, skills-training, and job-finding.
We pride ourselves in offering trauma-informed support with minimal barriers for receiving assistance that asks, “what happened to you?” not “what is wrong with you?” Victims who reach out are invited to participate in programs that meet their unique needs and help them achieve personally meaningful goals. Individuals are honored for their personal strengths and considered partners in charting their path to a safer future.
In the past year, YWCA made the following impacts:
- 8,706 nights of safe shelter were provided to 157 adults and 105 children at Gateway Shelter
- 4,535 nights of safe shelter were provided to 91 adults and 86 children at Big Horn County Shelter
- 1,679 callers to YWCA’s 24-hour phone and text messaging help line received support referrals
- 175 consultations were conducted with survivors by YWCA’s in-house attorney
- 199 adults were counseled regarding safety plans, jobs, and finances
- 930 meetings with our Housing Navigator helped 266 survivors and their families find homes
Lydia’s Story
Lydia, an elderly woman, had endured abuse from her husband for 15 years. She would drive past YWCA’s offices but couldn’t bring herself to walk inside and ask for help. She couldn’t call because she had no cell phone, and her husband monitored the landline to control her. She was ashamed and felt powerless. After being beaten by him one morning, she decided it was enough and made the brave decision to come to YWCA for help. Lydia worked with YWCA staff to find temporary housing, then a permanent home. She is happy to be away from the abuse and to live independently.
With your help, victims of violence like Lydia have access to a safe haven and support to help them escape dangerous relationships.
