When HAWC was founded in 1978, it started as a small group of women who came together to acknowledge the issue of domestic violence and made it a priority to advocate for change. These women made a commitment that what was once considered a “family issue”—something that happened behind closed doors—would be unveiled for what it was: unacceptable abuse. Through sheer force of will and an immense commitment to the cause, our founders worked tirelessly to help survivors on the North Shore escape their dangerous reality so that they may heal.
Today, HAWC continues that tradition as we celebrate our 40th anniversary as the domestic violence agency on the North Shore. Our programs have grown from a 24-hour hotline and safe house to so much more, including community-based advocacy and education, comprehensive and free Legal Services, community outreach, Children’s Services, support groups
Community matters
We’ve grown tremendously over the past 40 years because we have built a history of working with our community and program partners to ensure that survivors who come to us for help have access to the full range of assistance that is available to them.
We’ve grown tremendously over the past 40 years. But just like how domestic violence is more than a “family issue” and has an impact on all aspects of our community—including healthcare, economy, education, law enforcement, and more—HAWC has not been a fierce advocate for change all on our own. We have built a 40-year history of working with our community and program partners to ensure survivors who come to us for help have access to the full range of assistance that is available to them.
It is with that in mind that we look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary milestone with gratitude in our hearts. We keep working, every day, to end abuse in our community and will do so as each decade passes until all survivors are safe.
Thank you for 40 years of working for change—together.