"A 1997 survey of homeless shelters revealed that almost 50 percent of women turned away cited domestic violence as the reason for their homelessness."

"The first-ever World Health Organization (WHO) study on domestic violence reveals that intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence in women's lives - much more so than assault or rape by strangers or acquaintances"

Women Are Dreamers Too, Inc. was established in 1998 as a volunteer job placement service for homeless women who were residents of homeless shelters in downtown Atlanta. While providing job placement services to these women, it became clear that the overwhelming majority of them were survivors of domestic abuse. As such, these women had difficulties finding and maintaining stable employment, that were even more complex than other homeless individuals.

Faced with the broader, more complicated needs of these domestic abuse survivors, it became clear that a more intense counseling, short-term shelter, Child nutrition intervention, Literacy Education, and comprehensive approach to job placement was needed.

Today, Women Are Dreamers is well known as a vital link in the State of GA social service continuum. Over the years, Women Are Dreamers has provided crucial leadership and advocacy in the community on the issues of domestic violence.

Many Women Are Dreamers volunteers and board members are active in the South East Domestic Violence Council. Women Are Dreamers plays important roles in statewide coalitions, and has been active in making the system more responsive to the needs of battered women and children.

The mission of Women Are Dreamers is to empower our diverse community to live free from domestic violence. Our services include a 24-hour toll-free crisis line, an emergency shelter, in collaboration with the State of GA county wide coalitions, counseling, information and referrals, support groups, safety planning, legal services and community education presentations. Business Technical training, computer literacy, GED programs and instructions.

Staff, Alumni and volunteers contact and inform victims of their rights and resources. Our Alumni since inception have created sustainable businesses and are instrumental in creating jobs in their immediate communities. Their businesses are serving as an engine of economic growth, by stimulating employment creation through income generation.

All Women Are Dreamers services are completely confidential, are either free or low-cost and are offered in both Spanish and English, with La Familia program added in 2003.


SOUTH EAST La FAMILIA PROGRAM:
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In line with innovative models that serve Latino communities throughout the country, La Familia's goal is to identify and rebuild the lives of families affected in the South East Region by domestic violence.
The program addresses all aspects of domestic violence in the Latino community through prevention and intervention services for the entire family.


A bilingual and bicultural team works with families and communities to understand and change the cultural practices and beliefs that contribute to domestic abuse. Services include crisis counseling; safety planning, family interventions, support and assistance with immigration, legal issues and the schools are provided in Spanish and English