Enid YWCA offers assorted services

By Cass Rains, Staff Writer

April 18, 2008 04:46 pm

Enid’s YWCA offers four programs, each with a number of services, to all residents of the northwest Oklahoma.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor and supporting the YWCA’s mission or seeking information can contact YWCA at 234-7581.

Crisis Center

The YWCA’s Crisis Center is a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. YWCA Crisis Center provides emergency shelter along with counseling, court advocacy and parenting education classes. It also maintains a 24-hour crisis line that allows callers to remain anonymous when asking questions regarding crisis center services or referrals to another agency. Another service in the crisis center, My Sister’s Closet, assists women who are in need of career clothes for job interviews and new employment. The on-site donation facility provides gently used or donated clothing for men and children, as well as household items for those making a new home. The organization also offers supervised visitation, safe exchanges and community education programs. The Crisis Center has been providing shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault since 1979.

Children’s Learning Center

Enid YWCA Children’s Learning Center is a two-star public childcare facility for children age 6 weeks to 12 years. The center is open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers half-day preschool and an after-school program.
The center provides age-appropriate curricula, well-trained staff and a loving and nurturing environment in which a child can learn and grow. The center is currently going through the process of becoming a three-star childcare facility.

Reflections Halfway House

The YWCA’s Reflections Halfway House is for women who are recovering from substance abuse, and for their children.
The Reflections House is a residential program certified by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse services. All women entering the Halfway House have completed drug and alcohol treatment and are now working to maintain sobriety while focusing on the needs of their children. Through counseling, parenting and life skills classes, the women rebuild their lives and become productive citizens in the community. Open since 1998, Reflections Halfway House is one of four facilities in the state providing services to recovering women and their children.

Youth

The YWCA’s youth program works to develop healthy and positive youth through enrichment activities, which include the Children’s Christmas Sale, Children’s Christmas Party, Stop Racism & Prejudice Youth Challenge and the annual Girl Power Rally. A new service, Teaching Tolerance, provides educational kits designed to illustrate the devastating affects of prejudice and discrimination.

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Photos


Melissa Hampton straightens up the play room inside the YWCA’s Crisis Center.