Description
Beginning in 1977 as a "grass roots" initiative to provide crisis intervention, advocacy, and shelter to victims of domestic/family violence, the Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County (then known as the Jefferson County Women's Center) was incorporated into a 501(c)3 in April 1979. Since that time, the name has been changed and the mission of the agency has expanded to include providing services to ALL victims of ALL crimes. The agency serves all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, disability, or other status. The agency strives to create and foster a community that is safe, caring, and working together to bring hope, inspire change, and empower individuals to move beyond their circumstances.
The Victims Assistance Center is a designated comprehensive Victims Assistance Program. The agency is approved by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services for both the residential shelter and the Child Advocacy Center, certified by the New York State Department of Health as a rape crisis center, and is Nationally Accredited by the National Children's Alliance for the agency's Child Advocacy Center.
The agency provides all services, including specialized medical exams and therapy, free of charge to ensure that all individuals in need of services can access them regardless of their ability to pay.
