About Us
Mission
The mission of the Bay Area Women’s Center is to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault. BAWC provides free-of-charge crisis intervention, advocacy and safe haven to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; and violence prevention education to the community; while actively pursuing social change.
Major Objectives
Our major objective is to create a comprehensive community response to domestic violence and sexual assault through emergency shelter and counseling services, advocacy, and violence prevention education.
Philosophy
BAWC maintains the right of every person to live free of fear, as an autonomous individual. To this end, the agency provides services, free-of-charge, that address the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
History
Bay Area Women’s Center was founded in 1975 by a small group of concerned women in Bay County. Since that time, BAWC has grown considerably both in the number of people served and types of programs offered. The center serves both men and women, along with their children. Services are targeted in Bay and Arenac counties; however, people from throughout mid-Michigan and beyond take refuge at our facility. Through the years, BAWC have continually expanded their capacity to shelter. In 2000, BAWC opened a new facility with a 32-bed capacity. To-date, BAWC has served over 15,000 men, women and children who have sought safety and shelter.