Houston area women's center

The Houston Area Women's Center is a nonprofit organization that has been serving women, children, and families since 1977. It operates 24/7 crisis hotlines and provides services including safety planning, supportive housing, rape crisis support, hospital advocacy, counseling, children's services, financial empowerment, career development, and legal services. The organization also conducts violence prevention training and education, and engages in fundraising and public awareness efforts such as the annual Believe Luncheon.

The center serves women, children, and families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. Its mission is to end domestic and sexual violence while supporting individuals in building safe and healthy lives through advocacy, counseling, education, shelter, and support services.

The center provides children's services and operates a residential emergency shelter called One Safe Place Houston, which includes 135 apartments on its new 5.5-acre flagship campus opened in 2025. This secure, 24/7 site with a disclosed address provides a holistic haven for individuals and families escaping violence.

Survivors receive real-time response and safety on demand through 24/7 sexual assault and domestic violence hotlines, live chat, and safety planning. The center offers hospital advocacy and support, rape crisis support, and immediate access to crisis intervention services to ensure safety.

The center offers financial empowerment and career development services to help survivors regain confidence and develop financial independence. Survivors can also become Lightkeepers by setting up a monthly gift to support the organization's ongoing work.

The organization conducts violence prevention and training to break the cycle of domestic violence. It also engages in culture change initiatives and works with policy makers and the criminal justice system to enact community-wide change.

Recent reviews from 2022 and 2023 highlight that the staff is friendly, understanding, and supportive. Many reviewers note that the team goes above and beyond to provide helpful advice and resources to those in need.

The center has a Trustburn rating of 4.1 out of 5 from 8 reviews. The rating split includes multiple 5-star reviews praising the excellent job done in helping women, alongside some 3-star reviews that found certain services lacking in specific areas.

Since 1977, the center has grown from a few donated phone lines to over 150 paid staff and four regional service hubs. It now operates a state-of-the-art flagship campus with 135 apartments and a volunteer base of committed community partners.

The center provides services and information in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a diverse population. Their website and contact pages include options to view content in Spanish, such as 'Nuestra Agencia' and '¿Qué Es La Violencia Doméstica?'.

The center uses a tailored, continuum-of-care approach to create empowering solutions for each client. This method combines residential and non-residential services to address the specific issues survivors face at every step of their journey.

The main office operates from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on Sundays and national holidays, while the 24/7 hotlines remain active around the clock.

Visitors can join the Leadership Society, become a Lightkeeper by donating monthly, or participate in the annual Believe Luncheon. The center also encourages joining their mailing list to stay informed about their latest news and events.

The center describes its mission as working to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, counseling, education, shelter, and support services. They emphasize a future defined by safe relationships and caring families where entire communities thrive free from violence.

Houston area women's center is located at 1010 Waugh Dr, Houston, Texas.