"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted . . ." ~Aesop

The history of The LeeShore Center has been one of ongoing growth and change. Incorporated as the Women's Resource Center, a private non-profit in May of 1977, the service demands caused the organization to quickly expand its original purpose as a women's informational center. The "founding mothers" identified serious and basic needs among women of the community; including the need for protection from domestic violence and a safe place to go when violence erupted.

from the Peninsula Clarion article dated October 17, 1983

In the fall of 1977, the staff began pioneering a safe home system for battered women, using private homes volunteered by community citizens. With the installation of a Women's Aid Line, WRC found itself in the crisis intervention business. In January of 1981, the agency acknowledged its evolution into a community crisis center by changing its name to the Women's Resource and Crisis Center (WRCC).

from the Clarion Shopper article dated February 8, 1984

In 1983, the City of Kenai donated a piece of land for the construction of offices and a 20-bed shelter for battered women and their children. Members of the Kenai-Soldotna area donated all of the labor and materials. In September of 1985, the WRCC/Lee Shore shelter opened.

The agency formally changed its name to The LeeShore Center in October 2004.

The LeeShore Center began as a local voluntary effort. With the addition of a shelter and a permanent office space, it grew beyond the capacity of the local support system, requiring professional programming and funding from many different sources. However, volunteers have remained an essential part of The LeeShore Center's service delivery.

Along with 24-hour shelter services, The LeeShore Center provides advocacy for victims including crisis counseling, educational support groups, assistance to abused/neglected elders, and community education and outreach.

The LeeShore Center also operates the Transitional Living Center (TLC), a residential program for homeless victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who want to transition to a substance-free and violence-free lifestyle.

The LeeShore Center has a state-certified Batterers' Intervention Program, which, through an educational process, assists batterers in stopping violent behavior.

The Child Care Food Program reimburses home daycare facilities for the cost of serving nutritious meals. This program requires facility visits and annual training. CCFP also offers a lending library, available to anyone, which provides materials on nutrition, children's mental and physical health, recipes, activities and more.

The Child Care Assistance Program provides subsidies for daycare (for children aged birth through 12 years) for low-to moderate-income families, in order for those families to work, attend school, or seek work. CCAP also maintains the registry for all local daycare providers that are participating in State subsidy programs.

As the headlines in the above graphic show, The LeeShore Center has long had the support of the communities we serve. We appreciate everyone who generously supports The LeeShore Center.

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