Our Services
The YWCA of Great Falls works every day to advance the quality of life for women, eliminate racism, and provide services that promote self-sufficiency and reduce violence. Through advocacy and local services, we work hard to create real change for women, families, and our community. We embrace and practice an empowerment model in all of the programs and services we provide.
Our Services
The YWCA of Great Falls works every day to advance the quality of life for women, eliminate racism, and provide services that promote self-sufficiency and reduce violence. Through advocacy and local services, we work hard to create real change for women, families, and our community. We embrace and practice an empowerment model in all of the programs and services we provide.
Power of Sisterhood Mentoring
This program is available to seventh- and eighth-grade girls at East and North middle schools.
In this program, young women learn positive coping and communication skills. They learn about and experience the qualities of healthy relationships, increase self-esteem, and build valuable life skills.
Groups meet once a week during the school year with mentors who volunteer to model and build healthy relationships with the participants.
If you would like to join this fun and empowering program, call our office at 406-452-1315.
Classes and Workshops
Classes and workshops are always available at the YWCA Great Falls. We currently have schedules for the following classes:
- Self-defense
- Healthy Relationships
- Racial Equity and Inclusion
- Social Equity
- Non-Violent Communications
- S.T.E.A.M. for girls
- Financial Literacy Classes
- Wills, Trusts, and other Confusing Stuff
- Sexual Assault Prevention/ Bystander Intervention
- Domestic ** and other topics
If you are interested in a class or would like to facilitate a class, call the office at 406-452-1315.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors Support Group
The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors Support Group meets Mondays from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at the YWCA. A free children’s support group is also offered.
This interactive group can help survivors realize they are not alone, heal and find the support they need. Survivors have been hurt enough in their lives, and this group offers a safe, confidential and nonjudgmental space to talk about their experiences, feelings, and share ideas. Survivors also gain information on a range of subjects including:
- Safety planning
- Community resources
- Domestic violence and sexual assault issues and topics
Advocacy
What is an advocate?
An advocate is a person who has been trained to respond to domestic violence and sexual assault. An advocate’s primary concern is assisting a survivor to develop a plan from immediate to long-term safety.
You may find it helpful to speak to someone one-on-one who understands what you are going through without judging. Whether you just want to talk confidentially about your situation, discuss safety planning, get education and information about your partner’s patterns of abusive behavior, or find out about other services and resources, our trained advocates are available to speak with you over the phone or meet with you in person.
You do not have to be in a shelter to speak with an advocate, and advocates will not try to “pressure” you to enter a shelter if you are not ready to do so. However, an advocate can help you make sense of your feelings if you are in a relationship you think might be abusive, are trying to make things work, or have left your relationship. This service is completely free, confidential, and without obligation. It is provided to the community as part of Mercy Home and the YWCA’s joint commitment to eliminate community tolerance to domestic violence — along with the oppression that perpetuates it — and ensure dignity and justice for its victims.
Legal Advocacy
Our advocates help support survivors of domestic and sexual violence as they navigate the court system. The advocates explain general court procedures and paperwork, and offer support at a confusing and difficult time.
Our advocates are available to help obtain orders of protection by providing and assisting with the appropriate paperwork and accompanying survivors to their hearings. Our advocates provide services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Advocates can also provide survivors with support and referrals for other related legal matters such as child custody and marriage dissolution. Please note that this program cannot assist with legal representation.
Sexual Assault Response
If you have experienced a sexual assault, the YWCA Great Falls is here to help you. A sexual assault advocate is available 24 hours a day to actively listen, believe in, assist, and support you. During this difficult time, an advocate can help you process your feelings and needs. An advocate is trained to help you discover the choices that work best for you. Based upon your decisions, an advocate can provide referrals, connections, and advocacy with the justice, medical, and social service system.
Call 406-453-1018 for help and/or someone to talk to.
- At the Youth Resource Center
- 3220 11th Ave S
- Facilitated by YWCA counselors
- Call (406) 452-1315 for more info
Counseling
The YWCA Great Falls embraces and practices an empowerment model in all of its programs and services, including the counseling program. Counseling is a confidential process in which the client has the opportunity to explore issues and concerns that are important to her or him in a safe, nonjudgmental setting. Our counselors empower their clients by respecting the client’s autonomy and honoring their strength and dignity.
We offer individual, group, family, and children’s counseling to address:
- Domestic violence
- Depression/anxiety
- Family dynamics
- Mental health
- Grief and loss
- Trauma
- PTSD
- Play therapy
Counseling services are free and open to the public. Call 406-452-1315 to schedule an appointment.
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Mercy Home Shelter
The Mercy Home shelter offers a 60-day program of emergency housing and other comprehensive services to women and their children who are fleeing an abusive relationship. The YWCA and Mercy Home shelter embrace an empowerment model that encourages and supports participants in their efforts to meet personal goals, guide their own lives, achieve self-sufficiency and autonomy, and to live with dignity.
While at the shelter, the client has access to free counseling, support groups, case management, and continued support through the legal process. Case management can assist the client with housing and employment if needed. Assistance with an order of protection is also available, including accompanying the client to court dates. If emergency shelter is not needed, the client has access to all of the programs the YWCA offers for free.
The Mercy Home also offers a 24-hour crisis line for those seeking assistance and support around issues of intimate partner violence.
Mercy Home crisis line: 1-800-352-7449 or 406-453-1018