Working Against Violence, Inc (WAV) is a non-profit United Way organization. Since 1978, WAVI has been assisting domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Our staff provides support services, court advocacy, ER response, community education, safety planning and 24-hour emergency shelter. Our volunteers aid in ER response, shelter repairs, child care and much more. WAVI also partners with law enforcement, Victims’ Assistance and the State’s Attorney’s Office to provide comprehensive advocacy for all our clients. In 2013 WAVI served over 2,000 clients, with 592 clients staying in our emergency shelter.

Each of our clients carries their own stories – stories of struggle, trial, overcoming, set-backs, brokenness, healing and much more. Here is one such story, as told by a Case Manager. “I began working with Marcy* at the end of May. She came to shelter with her three children and one on the way. Marcie had been in and out of a DV relationship with the same man for over seven years. She stated she was scared and didn’t know what was going to happen. She explained the distress she was in because she knew she needed to raise her children on her own. While working with Marcy, she enrolled in college, continued working and is in the process of obtaining her own housing. She attends financial literacy classes and agreed to obtain counseling. Although there are setbacks, Marcy says she is remaining positive and will keep moving forward.”

Thank you for your support of WAVI. Together we can work to create a community free of domestic abuse and sexual assault through advocacy, education and support services!

*Name changed