Executive Director
Women’s Center of Jacksonville Inc.
Mission
To support and empower women and to nurture mind, body and spirit.
Serving Jacksonville
The Women’s Center of Jacksonville is a community-based organization and began serving Jacksonville and surrounding counties in 1995. We are the only community- based women’s center in Jacksonville and opened our center in a rented room in an old house in Riverside. Our services initially included information and referral and community education on a variety of women’s issues.
Since 1995, we have grown to a staff of 27 and a 7,500-square-foot building that offers services to more than 11,000 women and girls each year.
Our services include mental health counseling on a sliding fee scale; an HIV/AIDS program for women; trauma treatment for sexual assault survivors and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; 24/7 on-call crisis response for rape victims; a rape crisis hot line; advocacy, accompaniment and long-term case management for sexual assault victims; specialized sexual assault prevention education for middle and high school students and communitywide education programs on sexual assault; a teen-focused website (www.promotetruth.org); an adult literacy program for women; support groups, education and services for women diagnosed with breast cancer; a girls’ circle program working with at-risk girls; four art exhibits a year featuring local women artists; and book discussions, support groups and personal growth groups.
Those served
The number of women and girls that we serve continues to grow each year. During 2010, we served more than 11,000 women and girls both in-house and through our outreach programs in Northeast Florida. Women who come to the Women’s Center find a warm and welcoming environment and often refer friends and family members who also need our services. The walls are filled with art from local women artists and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Biggest challenge
During the past two years, funding has been a little challenging with the state of the economy. What makes the Women’s Center unique is the number of programs under one roof that a woman can access. We are able to link women to assist them with a multitude of needs and we are amazingly successful in improving the lives of women. But having such a variety of programs can also create funding challenges. I am happy to say that because of our wonderful supporters we have been successful in keeping programs funded during this economic downturn and look forward to a positive outcome in the next year.
Biggest satisfaction
I just love watching women and girls become empowered and make the changes necessary to improve their lives. I know we make a difference in women’s lives. We provide services that I can honestly say have saved the lives of women. Our counseling program has worked with women who are depressed and has provided the critical support needed to save lives. Sexual assault is a crime that can devastate an individual. The advocacy and counseling provided by the Rape Recovery Team helps victims overcome the trauma of rape and regain control of their lives. Our Bosom Buddies program has made such a difference in the lives of women diagnosed with breast cancer. And while not all women survive breast cancer, they do receive compassion and care by the members of Bosom Buddies.
Your hometown
I am from Jacksonville.
Your first experience with community service
My first experience was in middle school working as a tutor for elementary school children. It was a great experience and I was glad that I was exposed to community service at such a young age.
Your job before the Women’s Center
I was the director of the University of North Florida Women’s Center and while I was at UNF, I finished my master’s degree in education and mental health counseling. Before UNF, I helped to start the domestic violence shelter, Hubbard House, and served as the first executive director. My career has been focused on women’s issues and I am passionate about improving the lives of women and look forward to many more years of doing this important work.
Upcoming events
2011 Speaker Series “Women, Words and Wisdom”
Feb. 1: Nancy Soderberg
March 22: Marty Evans
May 10: Gertrude Peele
The series benefits the Women’s Center’s Expanded Horizons Literacy Program for Women.
Feb. 4: Cocktails for a Cause, 4:30-6:30 p.m., The University Club
March 2: Art and Soul Exhibit at AT&T Tower 301 for Women’s History Month
Contact information
www.womenscenterofjax.org
www.promotetruth.org
[email protected]
722-3000, ext. 206