Home > About the Women's Center

DAWN House: 25 Years of Help and Hope

DAWN (Directions for Abused Women In Need) House was established in 1982 to provide a safety net for battered women and their children. It is the Women’s Center’s oldest and largest undisclosed emergency shelter, located in Stockton. The shelter has the capacity to house up to 32 women and children at a time. Since it was founded, DAWN House has housed and assisted over 10,000 women and children fleeing violent homes.
 
DAWN House not only provides an immediate safe haven, but also offers a wide range of services including individual counseling, support groups, safety planning, court accompaniment, parenting classes, a 24-hour crisis line, assistance with temporary restraining orders, and information and referrals. The shelter program also provides specialized programs for moms and children, financial literacy training, and children’s nutrition and fitness education program.
 
For many domestic violence victims, DAWN house is the last (and only) place they can turn for help. It is critical that we reach these women in crisis and provide early intervention for them and their children – our next generation – in order to break the cycle of violence and abuse.
 
The longevity of DAWN House and its programs is due to the generous support of individuals, businesses and organizations in the community. The Women’s Center offers its deepest gratitude to all those who were instrumental in founding the shelter and sustaining it as a safe haven for women and children in need. Thank you.
 
For information on how you can help support DAWN House, please call (209) 941-2611 or see our How You Can Help page.