 |
|
 |
Make A Difference With AWARE
Serving Mercer County since 1976, a small group of committed women—professionals from Pennsylvania State University, Shenango campus, the Mental Health Association, and community volunteers—stirred to respond to the needs of rape victims. Influenced by the seminal work by Susan Brownmiller, Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape, the corp group of volunteers founded the Rape Crisis Center of Mercer County in December 1976. During the first year of service, the all volunteer center helped (12) rape victims. By 1978, volunteers were responding to calls from battered women who had no where to turn. There was no battered women’s movement to offer help with guidelines and program standards. There were no shelters, no safe homes, and no protection orders. By 1979, a loose network of safe homes was in place. Mercer Countians opened their homes, apartments, and farms to help house women and children fleeing violence at home. During our 30th year of service to the community, AWARE helped nearly (1,000) families impacted by domestic and sexual violence. AWARE offers a broad menu of crisis and supporting services for adult and child victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as family and friends. In long-term partnership with Community Action Partnership of Mercer County and the City of Sharon, AWARE offers emergency shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence. Services are available for all victims in Mercer county at no cost, and are offered regardless of age, sex, race, creed, gender, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, class, economic status, physical ability, parental status, cultural background, or religion. AWARE works with our allies in law enforcement, health care, education, business and faith communities to share common cause to eliminate the impact of domestic and sexual violence on the lives of women, children and families in Mercer County. Through community awareness activities and initiatives, risk-reducing education for youth through Mercer County schools and youth-serving organizations, community education programs, professional development and training seminars, AWARE demonstrates our commitment to victims, to families, neighborhoods and communities throughout Mercer County. AWARE would not exist without the long-standing support and hard work of staff, volunteers and interns, and Board volunteers, past and present, for advancing this quixotic mission, ending domestic and sexual violence here in Mercer County. As you visit our site, please join us in our on-going mission. |
  |
 |
Welcome to AWARE, Mercer County Center against Domestic and Sexual Violence! AWARE is the only dedicated domestic violence/sexual assault center serving Mercer County. Our mission is to educate, advocate and support all people impacted by domestic and sexual violence in Mercer County. Our vision is to help the hurting to heal, and to partner in the prevention of violence.