DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES OF SOUTHWESTERN PA - GREENE COUNTY OFFICE

43 North Morgan Street / Waynesburg, PA 15370
Website: www.peacefromdv.org / ​Direct Number: 724-852-2373 / Hotline Number: 724-852-2463

Although the agency began helping victims of abuse in Washington, PA in 1976, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania (DVSSP) was officially incorporated as an independent agency in 1986 as the Washington Women’s Shelter.  The name has changed several times throughout the years to more easily indicate the mission of the agency--Victims are not just women, services are not in just one county or just about providing safe shelter.  The Greene County Satellite office was opened in 1993 and the Fayette County Safe House joined the agency in 2010.  DVSSP provides services in the tri-county area of Washington, Greene and Fayette.

The mission of DVSSP is to increase awareness of domestic violence and its effect on the community, to empower those victimized by providing advocacy and safe and effective services and to work for social change designed to eliminate domestic violence.  Domestic violence occurs within all racial, economic, education and religious backgrounds.  It can happen to ANYONE by ANYONE!  Domestic violence is about power and control.  Often abuse does not start until the relationship has progressed, making it more difficult to walk away.  All partners in the relationship have the right to be treated with respect, to make his or her own choices, to live without fear, and to be less than perfect because…. love shouldn’t hurt!

​All services are free and confidential.  These services include:  24-hour hotline, safe house for abused women and their children, support groups, prevention education programs, legal advocacy and accompaniment.  The Education & Training Department provides programs to both adults and children in the community.  A grant from the Greene County United Way helps to present these programs in the local school districts.  In addition to programs such as Teen Dating Violence, Hands Are Not for Hitting and team building activities at the summer camp programs, the new Connected & Respected program has been adopted by the agency.  This four-week curriculum has recently been presented to grades K- 5 in the Carmichaels School District.  The goal of this program is to, ultimately, stop domestic violence before it can begin so that intimate partner violence can be eliminated.

The DVSSP prevention education specialist, Andrea Foster, noted that she had presented one of the Connected & Respected lessons to a 4th grade class.  She felt that the students were learning from the program when one of the students returned to class about 2 weeks later and proudly shared that he been involved in a conflict with his brother while in the family car.  He stated that he remembered the strategies from the program and that he was able to “deescalate” the situation.  He successfully avoided the fight! 

In addition to helping victims of domestic violence, the agency participates in many special activities throughout the year.  Domestic Violence Awareness Month is held in October, Teen Dating Violence Month is in February and the NO MORE campaign occurs in March.  During October, the agency welcomes assistance to distribute and decorate homes, churches and businesses with purple bows and yard signs.  DVSSP also participates in many events in the community such as Stuff the Bus, Senior Fair, Waynesburg University Fairs and programs, RAIN DAY, the annual PeacefromDV Walk and Peace Begins at Home benefit dinner.  These events enable the organization to promote awareness of domestic violence, let victims know that violence is not “okay” and that help is available.  Volunteers, too, are always needed and appreciated in the offices as well at the various events.

​Andrea also added, "The focus of my position is to end domestic violence by educating our young people.  We offer Hands are Not for Hitting in the preschool classrooms.  Additionally, we offer the Connected and Respected program to grades K-5.  This program helps children to identify feelings, resolve conflicts, and teaches how to deescalate when angry.  We provide Safe Dates and Healthy Relationships presentations to middle and high schools.  These programs help students identify what healthy relationships look like as well as identifying red flags in the relationships.  We bring awareness during Teen Dating Violence Awareness month in February and are already planning for the DVSSP Teen Dating Violence Video Contest in partnership with the Waynesburg University Bonner students." 

Ms. Foster went on to say, "I really enjoy working with the students.  It is so heartwarming to see students putting the practices they learned in action or hearing success stories from the teens.  I really enjoy my job and believe that by creating awareness and education, we can end domestic violence.”

If you or a friend or family member are a victim of abuse and need help, please call 724-852-2463.  If you would like to volunteer or help in any way, please call 724-852-2373.  Our website is available at www.peacefromdv.org.