About Us

Women In Distress is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center serving Broward County, Florida. Our mission is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education and advocacy.

We strive to accomplish this mission through a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter program, individual counseling, support groups and professional trainings which are aimed at educating the community on domestic violence.

Our confidential services are offered free of charge to victims of domestic violence no matter their race, sex, age, religion, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, immigration status or language spoken.

Women In Distress believes that each survivor of domestic violence has the right to a safe, secure home and the capability to self-determine their violence free future. That is why we center our efforts in providing an environment that will help our participants recover from the traumatic effects of victimization and develop an understanding and awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence by empowering them to gain independence and self-sufficiency.

Women In Distress currently operates a 132 bed shelter, an outreach center (Jim & Jan Moran Family Center), and a thrift store. Women In Distress’ programs and services are divided into Residential and Outreach Services.

History

Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. was founded by Edee Greene and a group of concerned citizens in July of 1974 as Broward County’s first refuge for homeless women in a modest four-bedroom home until a local tragedy brought light to the need for shelter for women and children in danger. Shortly after, the agency’s founders were able to purchase a 54-bed shelter with generous contributions from Dr. Kona and Ruth Simon, and Walter and Peg Griffith, later expanding to 62 beds with a gift of a second 8-bed shelter from Lorraine Thomas. Women In Distress was now able to offer crisis shelter and support to victims of domestic violence and their children.

In November 1995, the doors of the Jim & Jan Moran Family Center opened in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Family Center instantly increased our visibility, accessibility and capacity to serve more families. In 1999, Janet A. Boyle established a $1 million endowment for Women In Distress in an effort to help ensure the future operations of the organization. Mrs. Boyle’s generosity has established a legacy benefiting Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc., its participants and employees for future generations.

Today, Women In Distress has expanded again in order to meet the increased needs for emergency shelter and services. In the Summer of 2011, the new Women In Distress Jim & Jan Moran Family Center opened its doors to the community. The new center allowed for the agency to double its emergency shelter and outreach services as well as offer new enhancements including a wellness center, family therapy room, a special populations wing for families with special needs and a Broward Sheriff’s Substation.

COA Accreditation

Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center serving Broward County. This means that The Council on Accreditation (COA) has verified that Women In Distress consistently operates with integrity, credibility and the utmost level of quality. The accreditation process takes place every four years. Women In Distress participates in a detailed review and analysis of the administrative operations and service delivery against national standards of best practice.

COA is an independent accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada, and is one of the three leading accreditors of such service providers. COA is widely recognized by states and national organizations as an accrediting body with the capacity, scope, and ability to contribute significantly to the improvement of the behavioral health and social service delivery systems. Originally known as an accrediting body for family and children’s agencies, COA has earned public recognition from mental health and substance abuse organizations as well.

view our certificate of accreditation

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