WRC HISTORY
Community resources were scarce, difficult to find, and challenging to navigate alone, making it hard for many women to begin their journey toward self-sufficiency. Over the years, WRC has evolved and experienced many changes. More programming is offered and we are no longer limited in scope as a crisis center. We have become recognized locally as “the place to go when you don’t know where to go” to overcome personal, financial and emotional hurdles. We have expanded to serve women and girls in all phases of their lives by adding education and programs for youth, professionals, and entrepreneurs.
Since opening in 1987, the Center has grown from helping 200 women in our first year to expanding the scope of our services and programs to assist more than 1,400 individual women and their families each year! The Women’s Resource Center advocates for the personal empowerment and economic self-sufficiency of women and girls in La Plata County. Started by a group of local women in 1987, the Women’s Resource Center was established as a one-stop shop where women could discover community resources. At the time, our area was realizing an increasing population of single and divorced women who had limited job skills and education, and who lacked the means necessary to meet basic familial needs, such as food, clothing and shelter.
As the needs in our community continue to change each year, we identify categories of need and align our programs to ensure each community member has the opportunity to reach their full potential. WRC now gives voice to client ideas and concerns by creating opportunities for them to become involved in volunteer, committee, board, and staff positions. We witness clients move beyond crisis, circle back for additional resources once their basic needs are met, and then give back to the organization by donating to the cause, providing programming, and holding key positions within the organization. WRC remains true to its original purpose of connecting individuals in need to critical resources, and has evolved into a place where locals can obtain the necessary skills and tools to experience success and thrive.