Who We Are
The Walnut Avenue Women’s Center is a 501(c)3 public benefit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for women, children, and families in the local community for over 75 years. Through interactive, supportive programs, WAWC seeks to improve the economic, physical, and emotional well being of all families in Santa Cruz County.
Our Mission
To provide high quality support and services so that women, children, and families will have the opportunities and skills to thrive.
Our Vision
The Walnut Avenue Women’s Center provides a variety of services for the purpose of helping women to improve their life situations. The organization is women-centered, seeking to put women’s experiences at the center of our thinking. We provide services which empower and inform women, their children and their families, enabling those we serve to realize their potential in all aspects of their lives.
Our Services
Although our mission has not truly changed over the last seven decades, it has expanded to address the changes in women’s, children’s, and families’ lives. Much of this expansion is in response to the evolution of the many forms of our community’s cultural, economic, gender, and ethnic diversities. Issues such as childcare, parenting, economic security, parenting & pregnant teens, health issues, domestic violence awareness & prevention, and advocacy are now our primary focus. WAWC takes a pro-active stance in reaching underserved populations. Many of the women who come to WAWC are from underserved populations due to poverty, early pregnancy, homelessness and/or domestic violence.
Our Programs
WAWC provides a kaleidoscope of programs and services through its departments:
- Domestic Violence Services
- Youth Development Services
- Family Literacy
- Early Childhood Education
- Resource & Community Development.
- and Associated Programs: African-American Community Health Group, Single Mom’s Alliance for Resources and Tools and the California Center of Excellence for Trauma Informed Care.
WAWC also provides a number of workshops throughout the year covering such topics as women’s spirituality, creative writing, body image, legal issues for battered women, financial issues, women’s history, lesbian battering, parenting issues and women’s health issues.
Our Location
Address: 303 Walnut Avenue Santa Cruz CA 95060
Telephone: (831) 426-3062
Fax: (831) 426-3070
Email: info@wawc.org
Direction: Google Map & Street photo
