MacElree Harvey's Jane Shields involved with the organization at its inception and still committed today.

Over thirty years ago, Attorney Jane Shields and other young women in the West Chester area recognized a need to aid women in transition throughout Chester County. Programs supporting women victims of domestic violence were already underway in neighboring Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

Realizing that domestic violence was a major issue facing women in crisis and those in transition, the group established the Women's Resource Center of the YMCA in West Chester. As Jane Shields explains, "It started with counseling at the Y during the day -- how to file for support, welfare, and other social services. Women were offered a sympathetic ear and a hotline staffed 24/7 to talk to victims of abuse. An executive director was hired."

Jane continues, "Emergency housing was the most pressing need for these women and their children. At first, local motels offered rooms. Then, there was some money for rooms. It was clear that a shelter was needed. To do that, we needed grants. To get the grants, the program had to be independent of the YWCA. So the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County was incorporated."

Jane Shields joined Deborah Klotzbach and Paulette Terells in securing the incorporation. The Center continued to grow and its programs expanded. Soon, the Center was able to purchase property for its shelter and then, housing became available. In 2006 The Center opened 13 townhouses for residents to rent at below market rates. This year, the center is opening a daycare and after-school center on the same property, providing care free of charge to children in the shelter and to others at below-market rates.

On February 24th, the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County celebrated its 30th anniversary with a Masquerade Ball at the Chester County Historical Society, West Chester. Marian Edmiston, board President, welcomed those in attendance and Monique Braxton of NBC 10 was mistress of ceremony along with board member Rita L. Waters.

Jane Shields shared with the celebration attendees her reflections on the first decade of the organization's history. Reflections on the second decade were given by Paulette Terrels and followed by reflections on the past decade by Dolly Wideman-Scott, Chief Executive Officer of the Center.

The mission of the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, Inc. is to provide intervention, programs, outreach and advocacy to prevent, reduce and remedy domestic violence in Chester County. The organization has been serving the community since 1976 and has helped more than 15,800 survivors of domestic violence.