This session will share tips on how to reach various underserved victim populations successfully, provide information to more comprehensively understand cultural issues and barriers, and to help these victim populations apply for and receive victim services and benefits.

1. DWC’S MISSION
is to provide permanent
supportive housing and
a
safe and healthy
community fostering
dignity, respect, and
personal stability, and to
advocate ending
homelessness for
women.
www.DowntownWomensCenter.org

2. DWC is nationally recognized as a prototype for unique and effective programs serving
homeless women and ending homelessness. DWC served over 4000 women in 2014.
DWC Programs & Services
DROP-IN DAY CENTER
• 200 women each day
• Services: Meals (100,000+)
showers, phones & mail
• Trauma Recovery Center
HOUSING
• 119 units of permanent
supportive housing (2 locations)
• 75 housed inVeteran’s Programs
• 95% of the women stay housed
permanently—a high success rate
CLINICAL HEALTH SERVICES
• Case management, mental
health & medical services
• Over 1200 women served
PERSONAL & FINANCIAL
OPPORTUNITY
• Education, skill development,
on-the-job training
• Over 1200 women served

3. DowntownWomen’s
Trauma Recovery Center
• A partnership between Downtown Women’s Center and Peace Over
Violence
• The Trauma Recovery Center is supported by the California Victim
Compensation and Government Claims Board, and is the only one of its
kind in downtown Los Angeles
• In 2015, we will serve over 130 individuals who have experienced a life-
threatening situation in the past 3 years
• If you have experienced trauma related to sexual assault, domestic
violence, human trafficking, homicide of a loved one, community violence,
or accidents, please visit us at 442 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles
90013 or call 213-680-0600

4. Homelessness in Los Angeles
Total Unsheltered Sheltered
LA County 44,359 31,018 13,341
LA City 25,686 17,687 7,999
Total Unsheltered Sheltered
Individuals 33,389 25,818 7,571
Family
Members
7,505 2,898 4,607
Unaccompanied
Minors
280 232 48
LA Continuum of Care - Household Type
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority , 2015 Homeless Count

5. 1-IN-4
ADULT
HOMELESS
INDIVIDUALS
ARE WOMEN

7. Unique & Key Cultural Aspects
• Female-specific focus
• Complex Trauma
• Older population with chronic health
conditions
• Primary focus is on basic needs
• Fear of reporting crimes
• Definition of crime may not be standardized
• Untreated mental illness

8. • Mental Health Needs
• Stigma related to homelessness
• Intimidated by the system
• Abuser could still be in the environment
• Timing after a crime
• Language needs
Considerations When
Providing Victim Services
and Benefits

9. • Collaboration between Victim Witness
Assistance Programs and Community Based
Organizations
• Opportunity to help with basic needs outside
of office
• Additional community outreach for increased
awareness about Trauma Recovery Centers
and other Victim Witness Assistance
Programs
• Making the Restraining Order process as
supportive as possible
• Building trusting effective relationships
Effective Service Delivery

10. TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
• Trauma Awareness
• Emphasis on Safety
“Homelessness deprives
individuals of ... basic needs,
exposing them to risky,
unpredictable environments.
In short, homelessness is more
than the absence of physical
shelter, it is a stress-filled,
dehumanizing, dangerous
circumstance in which
individuals are at high risk of
being witness to or victims of a
wide range of violent events.”
• Opportunities to Rebuild Control
• Strengths-Based Approach

11. • Benefits could be more focused on access of new
resources
– Funding for hotels
– Subsidies for food
– Direct access to HUD housing through partnerships
– Easier access to vocational and education programs
– Better access to dental care
System
Improvement
Recommendations

12. THANK YOU!
www.DowntownWomensCenter.org
Presenter:
AmyTurk, LCSW
Chief Program Officer
AmyT@DowntownWomensCenter.org
(213) 680-0600