Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center

In April 1977, a group called the Jackson Area Council for Battered Women was formed because of its concern for family violence, the problems violence creates, and the lack of services available for victims in the area.  To make the Council’s vision concrete, an established administrative agency was needed so that fund could be obtained.  The Jackson Area Substance Abuse Clinic agreed to administer the program.  The program began in December 1977 under the name AWARE – Abused Women’s Assistance and Resources.  Until February 1978, the services were provided on a 24-hour basis by coordinating the Emergency Counseling Centers – 24 hour crisis phone line, plus one trained staff and a core of trained volunteers who provided face to face crisis intervention, emergency food, and housing in volunteer homes.  Later, when Jackson County information and referral services were added, Emergency Counseling Center became HELPLINE.  In 1978, the founding mother of AWARE, Wand Goetz-Beiswenger was able to acquire a building to be used as a shelter for battered women through a grant from the Jackson YWCA Trust Fund, funds from the Michigan Department of Social Services and $10,000 from Community Development Block Grant to remodel the building.