Women’s Center seeks donations to help battered women escape domestic violence, become independent

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — Attempt to take away her safety. Try to rob her self-respect or destroy her dignity. Yet at the end of the day, there’s one thing that can never be taken away … her education.

Montgomery Women’s County Center (MCWC) will soon award several scholarships to clients who have sought their services of shelter from domestic violence. Whether it is physical, emotional or sexual, these women are fiercely determined to build a better life for themselves and their children. They just need a little help to get there.

Often, women are stuck in an abusive trap if they don’t have the education or skills to flee and become self-sufficient for themselves and their children.

On July 26 at the annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, MCWC will once again award higher education scholarships for their clients to earn a degree or develop a vocational trade skill. Whether taking their first college course or on the cusp of graduating with a four-year degree to embark upon a successful career, they come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances that led them to seek shelter from domestic violence.

Each year, the women share a moving and often emotional testimonial about their journey and express their gratitude for the scholarships as well as the counselors, volunteers and staff from the Women’s Center who helped them take the steps toward re-building their life.

“Studies have shown that women who become self-sufficient are less likely to return to abusive situations, thereby breaking the vicious cycle of family violence,” explains Marion Fischer, MCWC Chairman of the Board and Education Committee Chair and scholarship donor. “Thanks to private donations by individuals, couples, families and business organizations, we’ve awarded as many as 20 scholarships each year to some deserving, determined and inspiring women to help them build a brighter tomorrow for themselves and their children. We encourage the community to consider changing a life through a scholarship donation.”

To become part of the solution, please contact Deana Germany at 936-441-4044, ext. 29 or email deanag@mcwctx.org.

The Montgomery County Women’s Center is a 501C 3 nonprofit, private organization whose mission is to end domestic violence and sexual assault in Montgomery and surrounding counties through assistance, advocacy, empowerment and education. Services include a 24-hours crisis hotline, emergency shelter for those fleeing abuse, counseling, transitional housing support, legal services, advocacy through the medical and legal process, and education and outreach in the community and schools. For more information, please call (936) 441-4044 or the 24-hour crisis hotline at (936) 441-7273, or visit www.mcwctx.org.