Collaborative Effort to develop an emergency shelter for the Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center (WCFOC)

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Over a two year period beginning in January 2008, Douglas County worked in collaboration with the Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center (WCFOC), Olson Architecture, Inc., Engineers Without Borders, Norris Design and Harris Kocher Smith in a multifaceted partnership to construct a new emergency shelter facility to meet the growing needs of WCFOC clients. The WCFOC provides a critical service to residents of Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties who have been directly affected by domestic violence. Due to this unique collaborative effort, the WCFOC was able to open a new emergency shelter just before Christmas in December 2009, despite the economic challenges of the past two years. This new 9,000 square foot facility increases the agency’s bed space from 12 to 28 and is designed to serve about 350 clients each year. The location of this new facility is perfectly situated to better address the needs of WCFOC clients, as it is within close proximity to multiple public transportation options medical facilities, child care services and resources that will aid clients’ transition when they are ready to leave the shelter.