Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition offers counseling, shelter and other emergency services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties in Pennsylvania.

Herstory

In 1975, a group of women in the Sunbury/Selinsgrove/Lewisburg area who were mostly single, separated or divorced got together to discuss shared problems and concerns. The meetings were held in a private home and the conversations focused on issues of divorce, childcare, custody and visitation, careers, finances and relationships. The support group met regularly for several months, but eventually the meetings became more sporadic.

Some of the core women in this group were staff at Susquehanna Legal Services (SLS) in Sunbury. They recognized the importance of this support network for women in transition and for the increasing number of women clients who were physically battered. It became clear that battered women needed not only emotional support and legal advice, but physical safety as well. This core group (including SLS staff and some of the original support group members) persisted in their vision of a comprehensive support network for victims of domestic violence.

A small grant made it possible to open an office on the Selinsgrove State Hospital grounds in 1976 and a network of volunteers and safe homes were established. The group was legally incorporated at that time under the name Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition. When the grant ran out, the office closed but the informal network of support continued, mostly through the efforts of SLS staff and a small core of SVWIT Volunteers.

In February 1979, the SLS/SVWIT group hosted a public meeting in Sunbury to reenergize SVWIT. An unexpectedly large turnout from social service agencies and the general community testified to the prevalence of domestic violence and the need for services for battered women. From that meeting a new Board of Directors was formed with the mission to secure non-profit corporate status and secure funding for a staff, office and shelter.

During 1979 and 1980, the Board met monthly and was the working core of the organization. Members regularly attended trainings and workshops offered by the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), networked with other women’s organizations and provided some community education and outreach. The corporation also secured non-profit status, an essential step in grant applications.

In December 1980, The JPM Company made a $500 donation to SVWIT. In January 1981, the Board leased an office on the second floor of the Donehower Building, Market Street, Lewisburg; established a telephone Hotline and began training the first group of Hotline volunteers. From January to June 1981, Julie Nazar staffed the office on a volunteer basis and worked with other Board members to prepare a proposal for Title XX funding through the PCADV. The group of volunteers handled overnight and weekend Hotline calls.

The grant proposal was funded, effective July 1, 1981 to June 30, 1982. This secured the office space and Hotline and provided funding for paid staff. Julie Nazar was named Executive Director.

Over the next several years, SVWIT continued regular day and evening support groups, crisis intervention services, transportation, advocacy, community education and trainings for local police, hospital staffs, schools and social service agencies. Classes of new volunteer were trained twice a year and a safe home network was established. Board, staff and volunteers regularly met for retreats that provided ongoing training and support.

Emily Higgins joined the staff in 1982 and when a PA Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) grant proposal was successfully funded in 1983, Emily became the coordinator of services for victims of sexual assault.

In 1983, SVWIT leased half of a double house on North Seventh Street, Lewisburg that became the first shelter. Eventually the offices were moved there from the Donehower Building. With centralized staffing, office and shelter facilities, the program continued to build and grow. A satellite office was opened in Selinsgrove and support groups moved into community settings.

1986 was a year of transitions. In the spring Julie Nazar announced plans to resign and Cheryl Hoover was named as SVWIT's second Executive Director. In August, SVWIT entered into a lease-purchase agreement and moved into a new shelter. The new shelter provided greater housing capacity and needed space for trainings and groups. Margaret Gates, one of the founding Mothers of SVWIT, currently resides as the Executive Director.

Programs and staff continue to grow, with increasingly specialized services. SVWIT offers individual and group support for victims of sexual assault, their families and significant others; shelter, support and advocacy for DV and SA survivors and their children; D & A and co-dependency groups; empowerment workshops; trainings for volunteers and support group facilitators; and intensive trainings on DV and SA issues for police, social services agencies, health care workers, industries, students and educators.

Throughout its Herstory, SVWIT has pursued a consistent mission to end violence against women, knowing that women are the real experts on their own survival, simply needing the support and collective wisdom of other women to touch their own power.