♀ Herstory of Womencare ♀

1979
Spring
Two women members of Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW) shared stories with two advocates from YWCA�s Battered Women�s Project (BWP) and agreed on the need for a safe shelter in Bellingham

Fall
Two of these women attended a feminist conference in SanFrancisco and returned determined to create a shelter run as a feminist collective.

1978-79
Winter
BWP formed a coalition with Rape Relief and Sun Crisis to create Whatcom County Crisis Services and decided it was time for a permanent shelter.

1979
Winter
Holly Near and JT Thomas performed a benefit concert that raised $2,000. People�s Land Trust offered a house to use as a shelter.

May 22, 1979: WOMENCARE SHELTER OPENS HER DOORS!!
Within 24 hours, two of the three beds were filled.

Fall
Untill now, Womencare was run entirely by Volunteers. BUT Womencare received a donation to hire one paid staff.

1980
Fall/Winter
CETA grants and DSHS and local private support funding allowed the hiring of ten part-time positions.

1981
CETA grants dried up and eight staff were laid off. Womencare was back to being run by volunteers. First Board of Directors was formed.

   ♀ Between the Fall of 1983 and the Fall of 1988, the shelter was moved four times.

1984
Financial crisis. Volunteers rallied and raised enough money to keep the shelter open. First funding from City of Bellingham�received $12,000 along with a donation of $7,000.

1988
Summer
Shelter evicted because the owner wanted to move back into the house. 20 days to find a new shelter location.

1990
Fall
Legal advocate added to staff!

1994
Winter
24-hour staffing added

1996
Annual Collective Meeting�the decision was made to build our own permanent shelter. The hunt for funding began.

1997
Fall
Ten full-time faid staff, nine part-time paid staff. This was the largest paid staff to date.

1999
Summer
Funding finally completed to purchase a piece of property to build Womencare�s very own shelter!

2000
Winter
Contractors break ground for the construction of the brand-new shelter. Some of the neighbors were unhappy about Womencare coming to the neighborhood, so they rallied and gained much publicity. We would not be deterred.

Fall
Shelter moves in and Womencare becomes a homeowner!!!

2001
Summer
At the Annual Collective Meeting, the Management Team concept evolved into the Executive Team concept.

2002
Spring
Womencare sheter website goes online.
Since opening the doors of the new shelter in Fall of 2000, Womencare has provided confidential shelter for over 500 women and children.