The Women's Center held an Open House on March 29, 2012 at their 209 Bedford Street office to introduce some of their new program staff. The program provides free counseling, education, outreach and referral services to women, men and children on a 24-hour basis to people from Somerset to Wareham. The focus is on victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child trauma. They also provide medical and legal advocacy for victims needing those services. A merger with Residential Care Consortium in Fall River brought Our Sisters Place and the L.O.F.T. Transitional Housing program together under a single program. The program also offers education to organizations, schools, and service providers, including domestic violence and sexual assault advocate training and community outreach aimed at increasing awareness and identifying victims. Outreach services are offered to agencies, faith communities, homeless population service providers, the medical community and the general public. For more information, contact Executive Director Pamela MacLeod-Lima at 508-672-1222 or the 24-hour Hotline at 508-999-6636.

(Top row, left) Marisol Soto welcomes visitors to the Women's Center Open House at their Bedford Street headquarters. (Top row, center) Women's Center Sexual Assault Coordinator Melissa Dagher offers guests the opportunity to sign up for the prize drawing. (Top row, right) Melissa greets Frank Pace from South Bay Mental Health as he heads down the hallway. (Middle row) Women's Center Director Pam MacLeod-Lima talks with Partners Worksite Wellness Coordinator Angela Bannister. (Middle row, right) Women's Center Development Director Rebecca McCullough greets Brenda Viveiros of BMC Health Net Plan. (Bottom row, left) L.O.F.T. Transitional Housing Program Director Pamela Pires suggests that people enjoy the food that was provided. (Bottom row, center) United Neighbors of Fall River Executive Director Wendy Garf-Lipp hugs Brockton New Day Program staff member Inez Figeroa.