Rebuilding Lives, Renewing Hope

Empowering adults and their children with the skills they need to live a life that is free of fear and to move forward on their healing journey.

 

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Our Mission

We provide immediate safety and build long-term solutions to abuse.

Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC) is committed to ending domestic violence. Using a self-help, empowerment approach, we provide a shelter for adults and children, counseling, advocacy, and a 24-hour hotline for people affected by domestic violence. We work for social change through education, service collaboration, and institutional advocacy.

About Us

We stand with survivors

Connections for Abused Women and their Children is committed to ending domestic violence.

CAWC is a 501 (c) 3 designated nonprofit organization, staffed by a team of multi-cultural staff, volunteers, interns and is governed by a Board of Directors CAWC has an annual operating budget of approximately $2.1 million. CAWC enjoys a broad base of support from local, state, and federal government; corporations; foundations, United Way; and individuals, as well as special event revenue.

CAWC has a long history of service and advocacy in the domestic violence arena. In 2008, CAWC changed its name from Chicago Abused Women Coalition to Connections for Abused Women and their Children and retained the highly recognizable acronym of CAWC.

CAWC continues to be a strong leader in the domestic violence field on city and state levels. We are known for our emphasis on bi-cultural, bilingual services and programs. Connections for Abused Women and their Children is a member of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Metropolitan Chicago Battered Women’s Network.

Donate Monthly to CAWC

A monthly donation helps ensure that survivors and their children have access to safe shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and other critical resources for survival when they need them most.

A monthly gift fuels social change and advocacy by providing education for service providers and the wider public about the impact of domestic violence.

Your monthly gift means a steady source of income and allows CAWC to plan and provide care, resources, and protection for domestic violence survivors for weeks, months, and years to come. Monthly giving programs are cost-effective and have fewer administrative costs, meaning even more of your donation goes directly to survivors.

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Domestic Violence Programs

Shelter, counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, outreach and education

Need immediate help?

Call 773.278.4566

Humboldt Park Outreach Program (HPOP)

HPOP provides a full range of bilingual and bicultural (Spanish/English) core domestic violence services to adults on a walk-in or appointment basis.

Learn more about HPOP

Hospital Crisis Intervention Project

HCIP, housed at John Stroger Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, provides quality direct services to domestic violence victims  at the critical time when they seek health care.

Learn more about HCIP

Greenhouse Shelter

Greenhouse Shelter provides a safe refuge and vital support to help victims and their children take those brave steps to ending abuse. Greenhouse Shelter was the first domestic violence shelter in Chicago.

Learn more about Greenhouse Shelter

Haymarket Center

Domestic violence services at Haymarket Center, a comprehensive substance abuse facility, include education about domestic violence and group and/or individual counseling to survivors.

Learn more about Haymarket Center

Services

Knowledge. Support. Counseling. We’re with you at every step.

Too many people think escaping domestic violence is just walking out the door. It is never that easy. Our services help you take the legal and emotional steps to take back your life.

Children's Services

Counseing and guidance to break the cycles of domestic violence.

Counseling

Individual and group sessions with trained professionals. You are never alone in this.

Court Advocacy

Protect yourself by knowing your rights. We fight for you.

Education & Training

We work with hospitals and other groups to understand domestic violence.

Police Relations

We work with the police to protect you and your rights.

Substance Abuse

Helping break the link between addiction and abuse. We help you get safe and clean.

CAWC taught me how to survive, how to regain my self-confidence, how to stand up for myself, and to not let ANYONE take away my dignity.

Megan

A domestic violence survivor

Ways You Can Help

A safer Chicago depends on the community

There are many ways to help CAWC strengthen survivors and their children. Find your path.

Donate to our cause

You can help save the life of a adult or child being victimized by domestic violence by making a gift to CAWC today.

Donate Now

Become a volunteer

Volunteering isn’t easy, but it is worth it. Get trained, get experience, and use your talents and drive to help abused woman and their children.

Get Involved

Fulfill our Wishlist

Our shelters and programs need supplies. We have easy ways to provide survivors and their children the items they need to be independent.

View the Full Wishlist

Learn about domestic violence

Stopping domestic violence starts with understanding the many forms it takes. Recognize the signs of abuse in your life and others.

Get More Info

News & Events

Every day, survivors are getting stronger. See our collective power.

News and events about CAWC, domestic violence, and the strength we have together.

Media Inquiries

CAWC is proud to shine a light on the reality of domestic abuse and how we can fight it.

Call: 773.489.9081

What Does “Trauma-Informed” Care Mean?

Domestic violence leaves more than just physical scars. It profoundly impacts the emotional and psychological well-being of survivors, often resulting in long-lasting trauma. Understanding and addressing this trauma is crucial in aiding survivors on their journey to...

Make a difference in the lives of survivors

Donate money or supplies, volunteer, and more. Together, we can make a safer world.

Learn How You Can Help