History
Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. was founded by Edee Greene and concerned citizens in July of 1974 as Broward County's first refuge for homeless women in a modest four-bedroom home until a local tragedy brought light to the need for shelter for women and children in danger. Shortly after, a 54-bed shelter was purchased, later expanding to 62 beds with a gift of a second 8-bed shelter. In November 1995, the doors of the Jim & Jan Moran Family Center opened in Ft. Lauderdale. The Family Center instantly increased our visibility, accessibility and capacity to serve more families. Today, Women In Distress has expanded again in order to meet the increased needs for emergency shelter and services. The new Women In Distress Jim & Jan Moran Family Center allowed for the agency to double its emergency shelter and outreach services as well as offer new enhancements including a wellness center, family therapy room, and a special populations wing for families with special needs.
Specialties
Women In Distress is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center serving Broward County, Florida. Our mission is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education and advocacy. We strive to accomplish this mission through a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter program, individual counseling, support groups and professional trainings which are aimed at educating the community on domestic violence. Our confidential services are offered free of charge to victims of domestic violence no matter their age, gender, race or socio-economic status.