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Diane Pratt, executive director of the Cape Cod Center for Women
FALMOUTH – The Cape Cod Center for Women has long existed quietly in the Cape community for 15 years, given the security issues in housing people who are survivors of domestic violence.
But the nonprofit.has decided that in order to get its message out to the community, it will start to take on a higher profile. The organization is also looking to perhaps expand its facility by purchasing a larger home to use as a shelter, according to the center’s executive director Diane Pratt.
They are also working on providing advocates outside of their facility.
“We are trying to implement a new program where we will actually provide advocates or licensed clinical therapists in Cape Cod Healthcare facilities for young children who may come in who have been victims of domestic violence,” she said.
The Cape Cod Center for Women is the only 24-hour, 7-day-a-week confidential domestic violence emergency shelter serving Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Domestic Violence is an issue that affects people across the socio-economic spectrum, Pratt said.
“Domestic violence doesn’t care who you are or how much money you make or don’t make. We have had wives of doctors in our shelters. We have people off the street in our shelters,” Pratt said.
The Center is dedicated to providing programs and services to individuals and families escaping violence or abuse.
The community of staff, volunteers and supporters assist primarily battered women and their children in leaving violent environments and transitioning to independent living, connected to a network of community support and with a safety plan.
“A lot of times when they arrive at our place they have nothing but the clothes on their backs, so we have to provide clothing for them and we take care of food and getting them medical treatment that they need and getting them all the services they need,” Pratt said.
Since its founding in 2000, the Center has provided sanctuary for more than 500 families and hotline services for approximately 10,000 callers, thanks, in part, to private donors and community support. The center works with individuals and families for at least one year after they leave the program, and in that period 80 percent have remained violence-free, according to center statistics.
The hotline numbers are 508-564-SAFE or 508-564-7233.
The center will be holding its Jeans and Jewels Jubilee on Saturday, March 14 at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in North Falmouth. Tickets are $125 apiece.
Listen below to Cape Cod Center for Women Executive Director Diane Pratt discuss what the center does and the details of their upcoming gala.
