508 East Church Street, Champaign, IL 61820

(217)352-7151

info@cwt-cu.org

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Our Mission

The mission of CWT is to provide support services and safe transitional housing to homeless women and their children to foster and sustain their self-sufficiency. We do not subscribe to stereotypes and myths about the homeless. Instead, we recognize that homelessness is not a choice, and that there are many personal and societal factors that can contribute to itinerancy. At CWT we value diversity, and encourage women to make their own decisions according to their culture, beliefs and experiences.

Our objective at CWT is to create opportunities for women and children to achieve their goals. We offer tools, resources and education to encourage women to participate in their social environment. We believe that all women and children have strength, worth, capabilities and the potential to grow.

Our History

In February 1985, the Champaign-Urbana community became acutely aware of the fact that there was a lack of shelter for homeless women and children in the area. This realization sparked a local campaign, and with the help of determined citizens and social service providers, the Women’s Emergency Shelter of Champaign County (WESCC) opened in June 1985. Within its first hour, WESCC welcomed its first three residents.

WESCC was initially located on Hill Street in Champaign and was staffed by volunteers. After six months of operation, the Illinois Department of Public Aid presented the shelter with a grant, which allowed for paid staff members to join the WESCC team. When the lease of the Hill Street house expired, the shelter decided to purchase its own facility. The Champaign Community Development Program sold the former Holy Cross Catholic Church parish house to WESCC. The Champaign Community Development Program assisted with the rehabilitation of the house at its new location on Church Street, where it still stands today. This building was later named the Deloris Evans House in honor of one of WESCC’s original founders.

After several years of operation, the Board of Directors decided to change the shelter’s focus from emergency housing to long-term transitional housing and the agency was renamed The Center for Women in Transition (CWT). In 1996, CWT acquired, relocated and renovated the Clara Forbes House; an 1880’s building obtained from the University of Illinois. Ten years later, with much community support, CWT opened the doors of the UPS Center, a brand new building equipped with a conference room, computer lab and space for five additional families. These extra five units made it possible for CWT to house up to 50 women and children at any given time.

In October of 2008, The Center for Women in Transition opened a clothing resale store at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana called Transitions. This new program provides a source of revenue for CWT, and also serves as a vocational training program for our residents.

In December of 2008, CWT again expanded its program to include Presby House. This property was purchased by the Center and completely renovated by volunteers led by The First Presbyterian Church of Champaign and the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana. Presby House provides permanent housing to four single women.

Since opening its doors, CWT has served well over 3,200 women and children in need of support and temporary housing. Today, the staff and volunteers at CWT continue to reach out and help homeless women and children to improve their lives.