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WHEREAS, the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S) was founded in 1974 by Ellen Berliner and Anne Steytler, beginning its mission to create a safe and welcoming environment for survivors of domestic violence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS, founders Ellen Berliner and Anne Steytler first began the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in their homes, eventually relocating to a small storefront to host a meeting space for the women of Pittsburgh, never expecting the organization would form a movement; and,
WHEREAS, at its conception, the Women's Center & Shelter conducted its work with the dedication of hardworking volunteers and two employees serving as a Director and an Overnight Shelter Worker receiving very little financial compensation; and,
WHEREAS, in 1978 the Women's Center & Shelter grew its staff to seven full-time employees to address the changing needs of the communities it served; and,
WHEREAS, the Women's Center & Shelter has expanded to include almost 100 staff positions, reflecting the complexity and evolving understanding of what is needed to support survivors of domestic violence and their families; and,
WHEREAS, equipped with a skilled team of outreach specialists, lawyers and legal advocates, shelter advocates, educators, therapists, children's advocates, and more the Women's Center & Shelter's staff continues to adapt to meet the needs of all survivors; and,
WHEREAS, the staff of the Women's Center & Shelter is robust with backgrounds in mentoring, accounting, fundraising, information technology, administration, training, data management, and human resources all in the effort to support the organization's sustainability, infrastructure, and success for neighbors in need; and,
WHEREAS, in March of 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic altered the ways that the Women's Center & Shelter's staff traditionally worked, but not their tremendous commitment or resolve; and,
WHEREAS, the epidemic of domestic vio...
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