Montgomery Avenue Women's Center is the only day shelter for homeless women in Montgomery County Maryland. The center seeks to help break the cycle of homelessness for women and to help them achieve self-sufficiency. 31% of our consumers are chronically homeless, and majority of our consumers come from the streets and emergency level shelters.
Our agency has been has been involved with helping homeless women for over twenty five years. The Program began at the Rockville United Methodist Church as homeless women became more visible in Rockville in 1984. The Presbyterian Church started a night shelter, which along with our day program helped to get women get off the streets. We cooperated with Jerusalem —Mt Pleasant United Methodist Church and moved the operation to 17 Wood Lane. This became known as Cordelia House. The operation continued there until February 1999 when the facility was destroyed by fire.
We returned to the Rockville United Methodist Church and continued there until a facility became available on Wilkins Avenue in a County leased building. While running the shelter, we became aware that we were enabling the women to remain homeless and that they needed a program of supportive services not just basic human services. We seriously changed our procedures and applied for incorporation and additional funding. We established a workable group of supporters and volunteers among local churches, women's groups, businesses and individuals. We work cooperatively with other service providers and government agencies. Our directorship is provided on a volunteer basis. Our accounting service is a paid function.
The professional staff includes the Director of Operations and an Office manager. They are experienced and bring a high degree of competency to the program. . We have several Client Service Coordinators.
There is partnering with Community Ministries of Rockville and with Interfaith Works of Montgomery County to coordinate the day and night services for the women. We cooperate with Mental Health Association of Montgomery County to facilitate the delivery of the case management. Montgomery County through DHHS provides the facility now used on Wilkins Avenue. The Caseman Clinic provides medical service for many of our clients.