The Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence (Center) was founded in 1977, first as a crisis line and later as a safe house, by a group of women concerned about the safety of the victims of domestic violence.  In 1978, the Center was incorporated and began it's long history of providing shelter to victims of domestic violence.  During the past 30 years, the Center has developed into a comprehensive array of services for adult and child victims of violence:  domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and family members of homicide victims.

"Romance With Respect - An Evening Under The Stars" - On 29 April 2008, the Center presented a fashion show at the IP Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Click Here for scenes from this event.

Spring 2008 Newsletter - Click Here.  To Download the Newsletter, Right-Click the link and choose "Save Target As".  This is an Adobe PDF document.  If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you can download it free.  Just click the Adobe link at the bottom of this page.

Wall of Remembrance

Survivors of Homicide Victims Program and Forever Changed Support Group.  Stories of local victims and their survivors.  Click Here.

The Center is in the process of updating it's mailing list and will now be able to e-mail the newsletter and other items of interest to you.  Please contact Mary Buffington with your updated information and/or e-mail address at mbuffington@gcwcfn.org or at 228-432-2358.

For about $21 a day a victim of domestic violence can receive the following services from the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence:
A safe place; 3 meals and snacks; clothing; personal hygiene; 24/7 crisis intervention; child care; individual and group counseling; prevention education; parenting support and education; life skills training; transportation; education/job-training; phone and computer access; and individual, group and family counseling for their children.

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Ceremony of Reflection

The annual Ceremony of Reflection for the Forever Changed Support Group for Survivors of Homicide Victims hosted by the Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence was held on December 13 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Gulfport.

The Ceremony gave Survivors from the six lower MS counties the opportunity to share their holiday reflections on the loss of their loved ones.  A Memory Tree Ceremony gave Survivors a chance to hang a meaningful ornament on the tree and talk about a cherished or humorous memory of their loved one.  During the music, dinner, and candle lighting,   laughter and tears were shared by the 24 who attended.

Public awareness for the Survivors of Homicide Victims is promoted during the year at the April National Crime Victims Rights Week activities and the September 25 National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims.  The December Ceremony of Reflection is a special time dedicated to Survivors and their families for sharing and reflecting on their loved ones’ lives. The Memory Tree and the ornaments on it will be used each year for this celebration. 

The Forever Changed Group and it’s members are a great resource for anyone enduring the loss of a loved one to murder, manslaughter, or related violent death.  Some have experienced the loss for 10 years, some for a few months.  There is strength and wisdom in the group.  It is a place to share and to receive.  The group meets twice a month, once in Gulfport, and once in Pascagoula.  If you know of someone who needs this support group, please let them know Forever Changed is available.  Call 228-868-4150 for more information.