YWCA expansion offers help in Clinton County; new office in Frankfort

Staff reports
·2 min read

LAFAYETTE, Ind. − YWCA Greater Lafayette's Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program has expanded into Clinton County, broadening its reach further across the state to help those who need it.

What is YWCA?

YWCA is, according to its website, "...dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all." It offers multiple programs aimed at helping people through various facets, such as with the Dress for Success, Women's Wellness, Stand Against Racism and other programs.

The new Clinton County location

The Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program has expanded with a new satellite office at Healthy Communities of Clinton County in Frankfort, IN.

“We serve residents in a six-county area of west central Indiana," Ericka Lee, senior director of the Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program at YWCA Greater Lafayette, said in a release. “We saw a gap in service in Clinton County and there is a definite need in rural communities for the programs we provide. It just made sense for our first satellite office to be located here within the Healthy Communities building.”

The new office will serve as an extension of the services offered through YWCA Greater Lafayette without the need to travel.

“It’s important that we are where our clients are,” Ashely Miers, sexual assault case advocate and the first employee at the new location, said in a release. “We will meet the people who need us wherever they are. We want the community to know that there are resources here for anyone who needs them and there’s no need for victims to suffer in silence. We’re here to help, and we want to help.”

A new support group

YWCA Greater Lafayette also recently announced that a new support group, Healing Forward, will now be offered at the Frankfort office.

According to the release, "Healing Forward focuses on healing and coping skills and combines open-table group discussions with lessons from selected books. Healing Forward will meet in the new Frankfort office on Fridays from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m."

Partnerships that make help possible

YWCA actively works closely with multiple organization that help provide resources to individuals seeking help. The Sexual Assault Response Team, IU Health and Franciscan Hospitals help in the law enforcement and medical sides of sexual assault recovery.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: The new Frankfort office of YWCA's DVIPP will help locals.