Programs

Programs

We help women build a ladder out poverty.

These programs are a step.

We help women use what has happened to them in the past to drive themselves forward.

Services provided by WACCS are available to women living at 185% of poverty or less. As of January 2016, the poverty level for a family of three in the United States was set at $20,160 annual income. In Reno, 93,321 people are living in poverty, 32% of them women and children.

Under-resourced women are forced to live day-to-day, crisis-to-crisis. WACCS acknowledges and accommodates this reality. All WACCS services are provided without charge and are designed with maximum flexibility to accommodate the needs of women. They are welcome to begin classes, leave, and return when they are able. We are here to help every woman succeed through encouragement, specialized attention, student-set learning pace, and with resources and referrals.

We work to provide a non-judgmental and supportive environment in which women can survive then thrive. We help meet their immediate needs to give them the ability and the permission to think, dream, grow and succeed.

We help women build a ladder out poverty.

These programs are a step.

We help women use what has happened to them in the past to drive themselves forward.

Services provided by WACCS are available to women living at 185% of poverty or less. As of January 2016, ...read more

Domestic Violence

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN DANGER, PLEASE CALL 911

Computer Safety Warning:

If you’re being monitored and need to get off this site quickly, use the ESCAPE button at the top (click the up arrow in the bottom right to get to top). ESCAPE will close this page and take you to another website, but your viewing history will still be stored on this computer. If you need to clear your computer history (click here) to learn how or access WACCS website on a public computer at a library in the future.

 

Simply walking through our doors can be an incredible act of courage.

The Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra stands ready to assist victims of domestic violence. We are here for you. We are focused on your safety and your choices and will provide you with options.
We will NOT make you do anything.
YOU decide what is best for you.
Please come to our office or call us at 825-7395.

 

Available services:

  • Crisis Intervention
  • Information and Referrals
  • Peer Counseling
  • Safety Planning
  • Emergency Transportation
  • Advocacy

 

Are you being abused?

Abuse can take many forms. The abuser chooses how to control his victim and does whatever he needs to in order to gain and retain control. Below are some of the ways an abuser exerts power.

  • Physical violence – hitting, punching, shoving, using weapons to hurt you
  •  Sexual violence – making you have sex when you don’t want to, forcing you to do sexual things you don’t want to do, demanding that you have sex with others

 

  

 

We are here to help

  • We are here to listen — we cannot work miracles.
  • We are here to help you acknowledge your feelings — we cannot make your pain go away.
  • We are here to help you identify options — we will not make decisions for you.
  • We are here to discuss the steps for changing your life — we will not take the steps for you.
  • We are here to help you discover your strength — we will not rescue you only to leave you vulnerable.
  • We are here to help you realize you can help yourself —we will not take responsibility for you.
  • We are here to help you learn to choose — we will not eliminate difficult choices from your life.
  • We are here to provide support for change.

 

Other resources

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Shelters and Programs:

CAAW (Committee to Aid Abused Women) — (775) 329-4150 

Safe Embrace — (775) 322-3466 

Nevada Urban Indians — (775) 788-7600 

Tu Casa Latina – (775) 432-9929  

Tahoe Safe Alliance — (800) 736-1060  

Victims Services Pyramid Lake – (775) 575-9444   

Advocates to End Domestic Violence – (775) 883-7654  

 

Help For Sex Trafficking Victims:

Awaken — (775) 393-9183  

 

Victim Advocates:

Victim Advocates:

Reno Police Department - 775-334-2175       

Reno Police Department Victim Services Unit - 775-657-4519       

.

Sparks Police Department - 775-353-2231 

Sparks Police Department Victim Services Unit - 775-353-2217 • Spanish (775) 353-2267  

 

Washoe County Sheriff's Office - 775-353-2231 

Washoe County Sheriff's Office Victim Advocates
    Heather Dreiling - 775-325-6465
    Adrianne Phillips - 775-328-3334

 

Crisis Call Hotlines:

Crisis Call Center Sexual Assault Supportive Services — (775) 784-8090 or (800) 992-5757  

National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799- SAFE (7233)  

 

Legal

Temporary Protection Order Office —  (775) 328-3468 

Washoe Legal Services — (775) 329-2727 

Nevada Legal Service — (775) 284-3491 or (800) 323-8666

 

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN DANGER, PLEASE CALL 911

Computer Safety Warning:

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Education

Education is perhaps the most vital tool a woman needs to move out of poverty.

The need for education to escape poverty cannot be underestimated. Women who are bilingual in English and Spanish are more valuable in the workplace than their monolingual sisters. Workers with their high school diploma, or equivalent, earn approximately $10,000 more annually than those without the credential. Finding employment without a basic level of computer literacy is difficult at best.

All components of WACCS’ educational program are geared to the needs of women living in poverty. Student input is sought to ensure that WACCS is meeting their needs and adjustments are implemented. Additionally, students are in charge of their progress and can decide at what pace to move forward.

Our Educational Coordinator has oversight of all classes, most of which are taught by highly qualified and committed volunteers.

Classes we offer include:

  • English as a Second Language (ESL) 
  • High School Equivalency test preparation 
  • Computer literacy
  • Keyboarding
  • Microsoft Office
Weekly Class Schedule
High School Equivalency Classes
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9:45-11am
Social Studies - Pam		 9:30-11:30 Math - Phil   9:30-11:30
Math - Phil		  
        11:00am-1pm
Science - Allison
1:15-2:45
Language Arts - Jackie		        
English as Second Language Classes
Monday/Lunes Tuesday/Martes Wednesday/Miercoles Thursday/Jueves Friday/Viernes
      10:00-11:00am
Martha		  
    12:30-1:30
Teri		   12:30-1:30
Teri
         
  4:00-5:00pm
Sara		   4:00-5:00pm
Sara		  

 

Education is perhaps the most vital tool a woman needs to move out of poverty.

The need f...read more

Diaper Bank

We believe no woman should have to struggle to provide a clean diaper for her baby.

Diaper Bank Hours of Operation

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

WACCS provides free diapers four times during a seven-week period to women who meet our income guidelines. Those who also enroll in a WACCS program can receive diapers weekly. New participants are welcome to come to the office during hours of operation. Each participant will meet with a staff person after completing a short intake form.

Please bring the following on your first visit:

  1. Picture ID (driver’s license, passport, etc… – does not need to be current or local)
  2. Birth certificate(s) or birth confirmation for child(ren) needing diapers.
  3. Referral form or letter from another social service agency (e.g. WIC, Welfare, Salvation Army)

Ways you can get a referral letter to us:

  1. Bring letter from referral agency
  2. Have letter emailed to admin@waccs.org
  3. Have letter faxed to (775) 825-7006
  4. Mail letter to WACCS, Attn: Diaper Bank, 3905 Neil Road, Suite 2, Reno, Nevada 89502

Who qualifies

Women who are income eligible – at or below 185% of poverty level ($39,460 for a family of 3) — can receive diapers four times in a seven-week period.

Participants enrolled in and regularly attending classes can receive diapers weekly.

Special or extraordinary circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Participants are asked to make a donation of $1 when they pick up diapers. No one will be denied diapers if they are unable to make a donation.

We believe no woman should have to struggle to provide a clean diaper for her baby.

Diaper Bank Hours of Operation

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

WACCS provides free diapers four times during a seven-week period to w...read more

Adopt-a-Family

 

For the tenth year in a row, we are once again hosting our holiday adopt-a-family program.

This year we have 175 local families signed up in need of assistance. These families represent our clients. We are closely working with each of them to help them get back on their feet. Paying for holiday gifts for their children can feel unattainable while they’re busy working or tending to basic family needs.

 

Our holiday family adoption program has the lowest barrier of entry in the community – we dos not mandate proof of income we recognize the diverse circumstances within each family. We do, however, request proof of guardianship. 

If you're interested in supporting women and children at our center, you can participate in one of three easy ways:

  1. By calling the center at (775) 825-7395 Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

  2. By emailing holidayhelp@waccs.org and including contact information and preferred family size or budget.

  3. Or by filling out this Google Form. Once matched, you will receive a list with their "needs" (such as clothing or shoes) and "wants" (like toys or games) to help make their holiday season extra special.  

     

The deadline for dropping off gifts is Monday, December 16 by 6:00 p.m. at the WACCS office. We are asking donors to wrap gifts and include a label on the outside indicating for whom the gift is intended. If you don’t have time to shop, we are also accepting monetary donations via the our website or via our WACCS Amazon Wish List.

Thank you for your generosity in helping families in need this holiday season! By signing up to adopt a family, you'll bring joy to a local family by fulfilling their holiday wishlist.

 

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