A Brief History of The Center for Women in Transition

In the early 1980’s, the Champaign-Urbana community became acutely aware of the fact that there was a significant 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 on the Hill Street house expired, the shelter decided to purchase its own facility. The Champaign Community Development Program sold WESCC the former Holy Cross Catholic Church parish house and assisted with the rehabilitation of the house for its new use.  The newly renovated facility was named the Deloris Evans House in honor of one of original founders of WESCC.

After several years of operation, the Executive Board decided to change the focus of the shelter focus from emergency housing to long-term transitional housing and the organization became The Center for Women in Transition (CWT).  In 1996, CWT acquired, relocated and renovated the Clara Forbes House; an 1880’s building owned by the University of Illinois.  Ten years later, with community support, CWT opened the doors of the Unlimited Possibilities Services Center (UPS Center), a brand new building with space for five additional families. These extra five units made it possible for CWT to house up 48 women and children at any given time.

In October, 2008 CWT opened Transitions, a clothing resale store located in Lincoln Square.  The store offers job training to CWT residents and the store revenue supports the work of the agency.

A fourth home (Presby House) opened in its doors in January, 2009 to provide permanent affordable housing and supportive services for up to four single women.  The property is adjacent to the current three houses and, again with work of many volunteers and support of local businesses, was completely renovated.  The program of services to this house is called Stepping Stones as the women are provided a stepping stone to help them move towards total independence.

In July, 2010 The Center for Women in Transition acquired A Woman’s Place (AWP) which began operations in July, 1971 as the first battered women’s shelter in Illinois.  AWP provides a critical link in the continuum of care for women and children in the community.  Read about the history of AWP.

Today, the staff and volunteers at CWT continue to reach out and help homeless women and children and victims of domestic violence to improve their lives. With continued support, The Center for Women in Transition can make a difference in our community.