SUPPORT NETWORK

In 1978 the Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women offered a small grant to assess the need for domestic violence services in north Santa Clara County. Nine months later, in response to a community need, project staff increased from one to five. Additional funding was obtained. Peer counseling and safe homes were developed to provide emotional support and immediate temporary housing for battered women and their children.

The Mid-Peninsula Support Network was incorporated as a nonprofit tax exempt organization in May of 1979. Two years later, the phrase "for Battered Women" was added in order to clarify the organization's focus.

Over the next 11 years, the Support Network expanded its services to include six comprehensive and interrelated programs: counseling, shelter, support groups, legal assistance, a children's program and a volunteer program. As the agency now served clients throughout Santa Clara County, the phrase "Mid-Peninsula" was dropped from its name in 1993. Over the next ten years, the Support Network added long-term therapy for women, a teen dating violence prevention program, community education and outreach, a Victim Advocacy Project, and its cutting edge La Familia Program.

To celebrate 30 years of service, in 2009 the agency is dropping the phrase "for Battered Women" from its name and will hereinafter simply be known as the Support Network. This change is being made because we have extended our services to the entire family.

Today, the Support Network is well known as a vital link in Santa Clara County's social service continuum. Through community events, health fairs, media advocacy and materials distribution, the Support Network raises awareness and encourages our community to act against domestic violence.

Our agency works collaboratively with all other service providers in the County with the priority to offer the best assistance to all in need. Support Network staff, volunteers and board members are active in the Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Council, play an important role in statewide coalitions such as the California Alliance Against Domestic Violence, and are active in making the legal system in California more responsive to the needs of victims of domestic abuse.

During this past fiscal year, Support Network staff and volunteers answered 6,208 crisis calls and sheltered 247 women and children. We assisted 1,132 clients with 16,235 counseling and case management sessions and provided 7,683 advocacy, information and referral services. 11,034 other essential items were provided from less specific categories. Community educators served 21,893 participants from law enforcement, schools, hospitals, faith and community groups, social workers and court personnel. 439 volunteers contributed 15,035 hours to our programs and services.

History and Updated Statistics