About Blackburn Center

 

Our Vision 

 

Blackburn Center envisions a world free from domestic and sexual violence and other forms of violence.

 

Our Mission

 

Blackburn Center advocates for the rights of all individuals to live free from domestic and sexual violence and other forms of violence by eliminating the root causes of this violence and providing for the well-being and safety of survivors/victims.

 

Our Values

 

1.  Commit to outstanding services.

(client-driven services; continuous improvement through evaluation; competency focus; commitment to diversity) 

 

2.   Maximize resources through ethical stewardship.

(funds, staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, community relationships, goodwill, courage of spirit, reputation, opportunities, knowledge base/expertise, survivors’ experiences) 

 

3.   Challenge the social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence.

(purposeful view of all aspects of the agency’s work through a social transformation perspective)

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To view Blackburn Center's Vision, Mission and Values statement, please click here.

 

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Social Transformation

 

Blackburn Center believes that social transformation is the key to ending gender violence.  Click here to read our “Position Statement on Social Transformation:  Ending Gender Violence” – which includes Blackburn Center’s “Commitment to Action.”  

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Blackburn Center’s Commitment to Racial Justice

 

Blackburn Center stands in solidarity with the Black community and communities of color.  We share in grieving the loss of lives to racist violence.  As part of our mission to advocate for the right of all individuals to live free from any form of violence, we commit to working to destroy systemic racism and all forms of oppression.

 

We acknowledge that racism and safe communities cannot coexist.  We are dedicated to incorporating racial equality and justice in all aspects of our work.  We strive to make Blackburn Center more inclusive at all levels of our organization.

 

Our History

 

In 1975, a task force of the National Organization for Women met to address rape and sexual assault issues in Westmoreland County. The result was Westmoreland Alliance Against Rape whose hotline answered its first call on December 6, 1976.

 

Since then, what is now Blackburn Center has grown to a staff of more than 30, with an active team of volunteers.  Through this growth, we have developed an array of services for adult and child victims of sexual assault and domestic violence as well as comprehensive community education and professional in-service training programs.

 

Over the years, Blackburn Center's mission has remained fundamentally the same. Every year, thousands of people reach out for our services. Blackburn Center will continue to support victims with our shelter, counseling, and advocacy services as long as there are victims who need us. However, for our daughters and granddaughters—and for our sons and grandsons, we must work toward a better future. Blackburn Center urges members of the community to join us in our work to end domestic and sexual violence by changing their own attitudes about these crimes and challenging others to do the same.

 

Our Funding

 

Blackburn Center competes for funding each year from state and federal funding sources to obtain a portion of the financial support needed to sustain programs for the Westmoreland County community. These funds are administered through the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare through the Westmoreland County Commissioners.

 

Blackburn Center must then turn to the local community to secure the remainder of the funds needed to maintain services. These local funds come from the United Way of Westmoreland County, foundations, local businesses, churches, civic groups, and ... people like you.

 

If you would like to donate to Blackburn Center, please click here. For a list of current shelter needs, please click here. You can read our position statement on our commitment to donors here.

 

For more information or to make a donation, contact:
Blackburn Center
PO Box 398
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-837-9540

 

The official registration and financial information of Blackburn Center Against Domestic & Sexual Violence may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

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Solicitor:

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