Since 1976, the women of NELCWIT have been working to build safety, justice, and dignity for all.  Serving Franklin County and the North Quabbin region of western Massachusetts, we offer counseling, safe homes, advocacy, and education to women and children who have survived domestic violence or sexual abuse, and prevention education for area schools, professionals, and other groups.

We are now 34 years old!  Since 1976, our programs have helped over 13,000 women!

A few things we'd like you to know about us...

NELCWIT is an innovator & a leader in the battered women's movement.

• In 1976, when we started, the battered women's movement was in its infancy. In conjunction with 3 other early programs, we convinced the Massachusetts legislature to initiate funding for programs for battered women.

• We were a founder of the Massachusetts Coalition of Battered Women's Service Groups, now known as Jane Doe, Inc., and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

NELCWIT provides caring and effective services to large numbers of women.

• NELCWIT has helped over 13,000 women since opening in 1976!

• From July 2009-June 2010, our hotline advocates answered more than 1300 calls. NELCWIT's counselors and advocates worked with almost 600 women and 50 children. Our SAFEPLAN court advocates helped almost 400 individuals who were seeking restraining orders.

NELCWIT's programs are unique and have earned recognition nationally.

• NELCWIT was one of the first 5 agencies in the country to receive Rural Grant funding. This model program's advocates provide support for children who have lived with violence and advocacy and parenting skills for non-offending parents. Rural grant educators offer workshops and trainings about violence prevention with middle and high school-age youth.

• The Visioning Bear Circle's coordinator and participants have been invited to national conventions, where they presented workshops on the group's unique model of sexual assault prevention in indigenous communities.

We are committed to making our programs accessible for everybody.

• Our counseling, advocacy, & support programs are available for women, men, and children; able-bodied and disabled individuals; straight, lesbian, gay, bi, and trans people; and speakers of other languages.

• We have special programs for members of our area's Latino and Indigenous communities.

VISION STATEMENT

The New England Learning Center for Women in Transition is an antiracist grassroots organization dedicated to social and political change.  We affirm the diversity among us and we hold great respect and appreciation for all who are committed to ending violence, and for the energy, courage, and love needed to do this work.  In the name of countless women who have struggled before us, and for the sake of their families and the generations yet to come, NELCWIT commits itself to the dream of a world free from violence and all forms of oppression.

  MISSION STATEMENT

 NELCWIT’s mission is to work within the community to build safety, justice, and dignity for all.  We offer shelter, counseling, education, advocacy, and community organizing to women and children who have survived domestic violence or sexual abuse.  As an antiracist, multicultural organization, NELCWIT also joins with and mobilizes other groups and individuals who are working to end domestic violence and sexual abuse, ensure human rights, and create social change.

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