Organizations for Good: East Los Angeles Women’s Center

About the East Los Angeles Women’s Center

Created in 1975, the non-profit East Los Angeles Women’s Center operates a 24-hour crisis hotline for survivors of sexual assault, rape, domestic abuse and HIV/AIDS for communities in Southern California. The hotline provides its services in both Spanish and English, and was the first bilingual hotline of its kind at its inception.

In addition to the invaluable work of running the crisis hotline, the East Los Angeles Women’s Center provides many community-based programs. These include: Certified Volunteer Training, Sexual Assault Hospital Accompaniment & Advocacy, Domestic Violence Community Awareness Presentations, Promotora AIDS Training, and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Outreach and Hotline Services. All aspects of these services are performed by a certified professional staff and trained volunteers.

Their Mission Statement

“The mission of the East Los Angeles Women’s Center is to ensure that all women, girls, and their families live in a place of safety, health, and personal well-being free from violence and abuse, with equal access to necessary health services and social support, with an emphasis on Latino communities”

Volunteer

Those interested and able in becoming a Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocate are encouraged to volunteer by first filling out a short application at the Center’s website. Volunteer’s become certified after a 54-hour training course, and their duties include responding to calls at the rape crisis hotline.

Volunteers are also needed to act as Promotoras, or Community Health Educators. Promotoras participate in outreach programs by serving as a community health educators, supporting women with HIV/AIDS or who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence. Promotoras also bring awareness of these issues to the greater Los Angeles area. Future Promotoras must first enroll in and complete a training and certification course.

The East Los Angeles Women’s Center is also reaching out to those interested in becoming an Embajadora de Paz, or an Ambassadors of Peace. These committed volunteers serve as advocates “for a community where women lead safe and healthy lives.” According to the Center’s website Embajadoras:

• Share skills, resources, and experiences;

• Develop innovative events and campaigns to help achieve our mission;

• Attend social and educational events sponsored by the center;

• Advocate to federal, state, and local governments to support programs and legislative issues that impact women and their children;

Donate

As a non-profit organization, the support and charitable contributions of donors allow the East Lost Angeles Women’s Center to continue its vital work. A donation of as little as $25 provides for 2 hours of counseling on the rape and battering hotline.

Donations of any amount can be made here.

Contact Legal Help if You Have Been a Victim

While the East Los Angeles Women’s Center is an excellent resource, you should still contact a skilled attorney to help you recover compensation for your injuries. The legal professionals at Estey & Bomberger, LLP can examine the details of your case, and help you begin filing a claim. Contact us today.