Dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all, the YWCA of Rock County transforms lives and communities through education and action to empower women and dismantle racism. It takes a community’s support to help people facing adversity rebuild self-confidence, regain self-respect, and become role models. With the help of partnering organizations and donors, the organization offers childcare, Alternatives to Violence programming, Transitions programing, CARE House shelter, and racial justice and immigrant outreach.
After fleeing from her abusive boyfriend, Heidi and her three young sons moved to Milwaukee, WI to be with family. It wasn’t long after when Heidi started to notice bruises on her youngest child that were put there by a family member and family friend, people she thought she could trust.
Heidi took action to protect her children and keep them safe. She searched for somewhere to go, bearing in mind she could very well end up homeless. Heidi learned about YWCA of Rock County, the only shelter in Wisconsin that could accommodate a family of four at the time. Heidi and her children were placed in the Transitions program.
Transitions provides apartment housing for families and assists in skills building, job training, and domestic violence recovery services. It is designed to help families transition into an independent, peaceful life.
With the help of the YWCA, Heidi is graduating from Transitions and just received her Section 8 housing voucher, which she plans to use to find a house with a yard for her boys. Heidi is also obtaining her high school equivalency diploma with plans to enroll in a local culinary program next year.
Heidi says since completing Transitions, she feels ready to work on her own goals and goals for her children; one of which is starting new family traditions. Whether it’s pizza night or going to a movie, Heidi is looking forward to making positive, long-lasting memories with her family.
County Prestress, through the Sonnentag Foundation, supports dozens of worthy organizations and causes in four services areas, including Hunger and Homelessness Support, Military Personnel and Veteran Support, Sexual Abuse and Domestic Assault Services, and Mentoring and Skills Building.
