Shelter & Healing

Shelter and Facilities

Women’s Advocates creates a path to healing and self-determination for individuals leaving abusive relationships. On average, Women’s Advocates provides secure emergency shelter and access to basic needs for up to 50 victim-survivors and their children daily.

Sheila Wellstone Children’s Program

Our experienced and caring Children’s Program staff work in collaboration with Women’s Program team members to ensure both victim-survivors and their children have the tools to be safe and well both now and in the future. Learn More about our Children’s Program.

Alternative Shelter Program

The Women’s Advocates’ Alternative Shelter Program offers safe housing and advocacy services for up to 90 days for 3 victim-survivors and their children who may not feel comfortable in traditional emergency shelters. This program recognizes the diverse needs of victim-survivors, including those from the LGBTQIA2S+ community, men, people with disabilities, and others who may require specialized support. 

To support this initiative, we’re asking our community to donate essential items to create a comfortable living situation for victim-survivors and their families to help them feel at home. View a list of items needed here.

Pet Foster Program

Nearly half of victim-survivors of domestic violence stay in abusive situations rather than leave their pets behind. Women’s Advocates’ Survivor Advisory Committee, made up of current and former program participants, wants to work with our community to fix this problem. We work with local animal rescue organizations for victim-survivors staying in our shelter to receive free veterinary care, supplies, training, and more while their dog or cat are staying in a foster home. The program is FREE for both victim-survivors and foster homes. We require that all pets in our Pet Foster Program are spayed or neutered. If pets are not currently spayed or neutered, they will receive this procedure for free upon entering the program.

Although we would love to find foster homes for all cats and dogs of victim-survivors we serve, we currently have limited availability. Please contact Tiana Daun at tdaun@wadvocates.org with any questions.

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