This is the 4th episode of our six-part SF Healing Roots Collaborative Series. It features a discussion from Ivy Lee & Bobbi Lopez and their preliminary findings from a recent needs assessment, The focus of which was on violence intervention, prevention, and service strategies. Figuring out the ways that institutions and organizations that service the community, can be clear on the directs thoughts and opinions from the community.  Ivy Lee is an attorney whose practice has focused on...

This is the 3rd episode of our six-part SF Healing Roots Collaborative Series. It features a discussion on economic justice and some of the major financial obstacles that stand in the way of ending domestic violence. This episode features Destini Davis of Young Community Developers and Rachel West of In Defense of Prostitute Women's Safety Project, and Kali Shebi of San Francisco Department on the Status of Women. Destini Davis Destini Davis, AMFT is the Clinical Coordinator at Young...

This is the 2nd episode of our six-part SF Healing Roots Collaborative Series. It features a discussion on some of the major obstacles that stand in the way of ending domestic violence. This episode features Laura Jiménez of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Destini Davis of Young Community Developers, Rachel West of In Defense of Prostitute Women's Safety Project, and Cameron Lucas of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women. Laura Jiménez has served as the...

This is the 1st episode of our six-part SF Healing Roots Collaborative Series. It features a discussion with Nicole Santamaria, El/La’s first intersex Executive Director of trans experience, and Pablo Espinoza, Co-Executive Director at Community United Against Violence (CUAV.) Nicole Santamaria, El/La’s first intersex Executive Director of trans experience, has led the shift in our organizational culture toward a trauma-informed, holistic approach. Her leadership is rooted in 28 years of...

We are excited to be presenting a 6 episode podcast series with local nonprofits and city partners. The series is slated to start in June 2023. Together, we will explore the topic of domestic violence and discuss its true costs across our city's communities. We'll also lift up what is being done to intervene and prevent domestic violence here in SF. Please listen to our introduction episode & learn a little more about what's to come! This series is due in part to funding from the Blue...

You probably remember Pamela Tate, Co-Executive Director at Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence and Destini Davis, AMFT, Clinical Coordinator at Youth Community Developers from past podcast episodes. In THIS episode, they are joined by Cameron Lucas, Grants and Policy Associate at the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women and Jill Zawisza, Co-Director at W.O.M.A.N., Inc. to discuss the Healing Roots collaborative. Though this particular project is sunsetting, the group...

Wondering how NOT to lean into criminal legal systems as a response to DV?…listen to this episode as staff flesh out what that means at WOMAN Inc, where we are at in that process and some overarching reflections on TJ!

Guest Bio: Destini Davis, AMFT is the Clinical Coordinator at Young Community Developers for the past 3 years but has been doing mental health work for over 8 years now. Currently, working with groups and individuals a long side there job readiness training to helping them maintain their employment. Destini Davis, Clinical Coordinator and Healthy Relationship group facilitator at Youth Community Developers and Jill Zawisza, Co-Director and support group facilitator at WOMAN Inc discuss their...

This is the end of this volunteer spotlight series where Jill, the Co-Director, is joined by Alicia - the Educational Development Manager, Sabrina - the Support Line Program Manager, and Mary - the Co-Director, to offer up some reflections on the WOMAN, Inc. Volunteer Program and to share our gratitude and appreciation to all those that volunteer with the organization. 

This is part three of the series where we've spoken with volunteers and advocates at various levels. Listen in as Mary, WOMAN, Inc.'s Co-Director, has a conversation with Tania Parks, a long time WOMAN, Inc. community member. In this episode Tania reflects on her time working with survivors of domestic violence at the organization, including what brought her to the work and what keeps her here at WOMAN, Inc.  Tania Parks has been part of the WOMAN, Inc. community for over a decade. With...

Thanks to Yedidia, who shares her perspective on volunteering with WOMAN Inc's support line with us! Sabrina, WOMAN Inc. Support Line Manager, and Yedidia chat about their what their preconceived notions around volunteering at WOMAN Inc were, and then delve deeper into what it's like helping out survivors who contact our DV support line. A must listen for folks interested in volunteering at WOMAN Inc and even perhaps other DV organizations!

In this first episode in our volunteer series, Sasha and Alicia talk about WOMAN Inc's 40+ hour DV Counselor training. Learn from Sasha, a recent volunteer training graduate, what it was like to be in training, her overarching learnings that she applies not only to her volunteer work, but her personal life as well. If you are a survivor, you might be especially interested to hear how Sasha leaned into her WOMAN Inc community when feeling activated by training content. Many thanks to you,...

Ever wonder if volunteering with WOMAN Inc is a good fit for you, what the training is like or what it’s like to work with survivors who call the support line? WELL, this 3-part series is for you! Look for our first episode dropping in March. We hope you join us. Until then, catch up on our previous episodes!

Today we are launching our first entry in a series of conversations with WOMAN Inc Ambassador, Vanessa. In this minisode, Vanessa shares her story of surviving domestic violence, her experiences at WOMAN Inc, and how she eventually left the abusive relationship that eroded her self-esteem and threatened her life. We hear about her DV work and how she tapped into the expertise of her lived experience to support other survivors.  Host Bio: Jill Zawisza (pronounced Za-we-za) (she/her/hers) is...

CW: domestic, sexual, physical violence, bodily harm, racism, xenophobia On June 23, 1993, Lorena Gallo (then, Bobbit) would come to be known as the woman from Manassas, Virginia who, in a rage, severed her husband’s penis and threw it out the window of her car. What was missing from this story, in all of the sensational media coverage, is the extreme abuse she had endured from him the years leading up to this. In our first collaborative episode ever, Shaena and Jill cover this incident, and...

As a continued embodiment of our visions and values, we are pleased to share an exciting shift in our current leadership structure. Effective July 1, 2021, W.O.M.A.N., Inc. transitioned into a Co-Director Leadership model. Mary Martinez, our former Associate Director, is joining Jill Zawisza, former Executive Director, as Co-Directors. Hear from Jill & Mary on how we got here, and what is to come!  Learn more about the transition on our blog!  Co-director Bios: Mary Martinez (she/her)...

How do you make decisions? Who is the holder of "respect" and "authority" in an organization? How do we care for each other? These are the kinds of questions that help us map out sustainable futures even when the work is complex and hard to navigate. In the last discussions, we talked about the core values that move our work at WOMAN, Inc. forward both personally and professionally. Join us in this reflection on how existing policies and organizational culture really make a difference in...

Who or what does your organization center? Who would you want to be if funding & outside expectations weren't a part of the equation? What strengths do you embody? These are the kinds of questions that help us locate & nurture the heart of our work. In the first part of our discussion on Core Values, we talked about our cultural praxis and the process that brought W.O.M.A.N., Inc. to our most recent Theory of Change. Join us in this deeper discussion on what we've learned about...

In this episode, Sabrina and Mary break down what it means to be a Helper when working with survivors of domestic violence, rather than a Fixer. Oftentimes our society’s go-to is to want to fix a situation for someone (offering advice, giving ‘cold’ referrals, etc.) and while it might feel easier, we're curious if it’s out of comfort? Listen along as we go over the principles of working with survivors and how it can be more impactful by building trust, meeting them where they’re at, listening...

In this special edition Spanish episode, members of Echando Pa'lante talk about what it means to be part of this group as well as their goals for the future. They also share what they want the community to know about domestic violence in hopes of letting survivors know that they are not alone and deserve to feel safe in their bodies, home, and community.  Hosts bios: Stephanie Colorado (she, her, hers) & Adilia Preciado (she, her, hers) both started out as a volunteers with W.O.M.A.N.,...

In this episode, Stephanie Colorado & Adilia Preciado talk about the Echando Pa'lante (Moving Forward) program and their experiences with the group throughout their time at W.O.M.A.N., inc. Stephanie Colorado (she, her, hers) & Adilia Preciado (she, her, hers) both started out as volunteers with W.O.M.A.N., Inc. in the summer of 2012. As volunteers, they helped out with the support line, drop-ins, and the Latinx Program. They both now Co-manage the Latinx Program offering in-depth...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Shannon Wise! Here, we get the pleasure of hearing about her work & the personal journey that brought her there. A Bay Area native, Shannon is the new Women's Center Manager at Glide Foundation. GLIDE is a nationally recognized center for social justice, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. The Glide Women's Center provides a safe haven for women on the road to recovery from...

In 2018, we had the pleasure of meeting with Jeanie Morrow (she/her), a member of W.O.M.A.N., Inc.'s leadership team through the 80's and 90's. As we talked, we updated her with our current efforts and learned about W.O.M.A.N., Inc.'s past work including the formation of programs specific to working with lesbian survivors of domestic violence. In this episode, Jeanie shares her rich history with W.O.M.A.N., Inc., first as a volunteer in 1984 and eventually as Executive Director 14 years...

We're excited to share this conversation with author, domestic abuse advocate, and community organizer, Paméla Michelle Tate! In this episode, Paméla shares her aspirations as Executive Director of Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence, a Black family violence-focused resource center serving families in San Francisco. Her work focuses on domestic abuse prevention, understanding the barriers to victims seeking services, and assisting survivors to thrive. She is a member of the San...