Women's and Children's Alliance: Services, How to Help

Nearly 20 people per minute experience physical abuse from an intimate partner in the United States. That adds up to more than 10 million women and men every single year. Behind each of those numbers is a real person – someone's mother, daughter, friend, or neighbor – searching for safety and a path forward.

In Boise, Idaho, the Women's and Children's Alliance (WCA) has been that path forward for over a century. Whether you're looking to understand what the WCA does, find resources for someone in crisis, or figure out how you can personally make a difference, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.

What Is the Women's and Children's Alliance?

The Women's and Children's Alliance is a nonprofit organization based in Boise, Idaho, dedicated to providing safety, healing, and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault. It's one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the state – with roots stretching back to 1910.

A Mission Rooted in Over a Century of Service

For more than 110 years, the WCA has served as a lifeline for survivors across southern Idaho. Their work spans a four-county service area that represents roughly 30 percent of the state's population.

Today, the WCA fields almost 4,500 calls per year on their 24-hour crisis hotline. Every one of those calls represents a moment when someone reached out for help – and the WCA was there to answer.

The organization's approach is built on trauma-informed care, meaning every interaction is designed to support healing rather than re-traumatize survivors. This wrap-around model addresses not just the immediate crisis but the long-term journey toward stability and independence.

Core Services the WCA Provides for Survivors

The Women's and Children's Alliance offers a comprehensive suite of services – all provided free of charge. These aren't one-size-fits-all solutions. Each person who walks through their doors receives support tailored to their specific situation and needs.

Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing

The WCA operates secure, confidential shelter locations staffed around the clock. Their facilities include 30 rooms capable of housing up to 30 women or mothers and their children each night.

Survivors can stay for up to seven months, though the average stay runs 90 to 120 days. During one fiscal year, the WCA sheltered 76 women and 103 children – providing a total of 13,197 safe bed nights. Each of those nights represents a family sleeping without fear.

The shelters feature private rooms and common living areas, creating both personal space and a sense of community. The WCA also partners with other local agencies to help survivors transition into low-cost housing when they're ready.

Counseling, Advocacy, and Life Skills

Beyond shelter, the WCA provides an interconnected web of support services:

• Individual counseling – Free professional therapy to help survivors process trauma and build resilience
• Court advocacy – Staff who walk alongside survivors through the legal process, from filing protective orders to navigating custody hearings
• Case management – Personalized plans that map out each survivor's path from crisis to stability
• Financial empowerment – Life skills and financial literacy training to help survivors build independence
• Support groups – Spaces where survivors can connect with others who understand their experience, similar to emotional abuse support groups found across the country

This layered approach recognizes that leaving an abusive situation is only the first step. True healing requires sustained, multi-faceted support.

How Domestic Violence Affects Women and Children

Understanding the scope of domestic violence helps explain why organizations like the WCA are so essential – and why community support matters so much.

The Scale of the Problem

The numbers paint a stark picture. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime. Globally, the World Health Organization reports that 840 million women – almost 1 in 3 – have faced partner violence or sexual violence.

In Idaho specifically, the issue is growing. The state saw a 5.2 percent increase in intimate partner violence cases between 2023 and 2024. An alarming 42 percent of all violent crime charges in Idaho are domestic violence-related.

These aren't just statistics. They represent families in your community – your coworkers, your children's classmates, your neighbors – who may be silently struggling.

The Lasting Impact on Children

Perhaps the most heartbreaking dimension of domestic violence is its effect on the youngest witnesses. An estimated 15.5 million children witness domestic violence each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Office on Women's Health.

Children exposed to domestic violence face higher risks of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Repeated exposure can actually alter brain development and disrupt a child's stress response system. The effects ripple outward into their schoolwork, their friendships, and their ability to form healthy relationships later in life.

As the U.S. Office on Women's Health notes, "Although children will probably never forget what they saw or experienced during the abuse, they can learn healthy ways to deal with their emotions and memories as they mature." That learning, though, requires the right support – which is exactly what the WCA provides.

WCA Programs That Help Children Heal

One of the things that sets the Women's and Children's Alliance apart is their dedicated focus on young people. The WCA understands that when you help a child process trauma early, you're not just healing one person – you're breaking the cycle of abuse.

Youth Counseling and Support Groups

The WCA offers free individual counseling for teens over the age of 14, providing a safe space to work through what they've experienced.

For younger children, the WCA runs a Kids group designed for ages 7 through 12. This program addresses self-esteem, self-awareness, and healthy relationships – building the emotional foundation these kids need to thrive.

Teens ages 13 to 16 can participate in an 8-week group program that focuses on understanding the cycle of violence and developing positive coping skills. This isn't just about processing the past – it's about equipping young people with the tools to build healthier futures.

The WCA also provides licensed childcare while parents access counseling, court advocacy, and other services. This removes one of the biggest barriers survivors face when seeking help: not having someone to watch their kids.

How to Volunteer at the Women's and Children's Alliance

If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back, volunteering with the WCA puts you directly in the path of making a tangible difference. The organization relies on volunteers throughout its operations.

Volunteer Roles and Getting Started

The WCA offers several types of volunteer opportunities:

• Administrative support – Help with office tasks, phone calls, and organizational operations
• Court advocacy – Support survivors as they navigate the legal system
• Thrift shop assistance – Sort and manage donated items
• Outreach events – Represent the WCA at community events and fundraisers

Getting started is straightforward. Register on the WCA's VolunteerMatters platform and complete your application. Then email the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@wcaboise.org to schedule an interview. You can also call 208-343-3688 ext. 41 for more information.

Most direct-service roles include training so you're prepared and confident in your work with survivors.

Ways to Donate and Support the WCA's Mission

Not everyone has time to volunteer – but there are plenty of other ways to support the Women's and Children's Alliance and the survivors they serve.

Financial and In-Kind Donations

Financial contributions go directly toward keeping the shelters running, counseling services available, and crisis hotlines staffed. You can donate online through the WCA's website at wcaboise.org.

Amazon Wish List – The WCA maintains a wish list of specific items their shelters need. This is one of the easiest ways to make a direct impact from wherever you are.

In-kind donations the WCA accepts include:

• New and like-new clothing for women and children
• Toiletries and self-care items
• Baby supplies (diapers, formula, clothing)
• Gift cards to grocery stores, retail stores, or Amazon
• Business attire for court appearances and job interviews
• Bedding, towels, and household basics

Community campaigns – The WCA participates in Idaho Gives, an annual statewide giving event. Workplace giving through platforms like Benevity is another option. You can also organize group donation drives with your workplace, school, or community organization.

Recognizing the Signs of Emotional Abuse and Gaslighting

Domestic violence isn't always physical. Emotional abuse – particularly gaslighting – is one of the most common and least recognized forms of intimate partner violence. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 74 percent of female domestic violence victims also experienced gaslighting from their partner.

Gaslighting is when someone twists your emotions, words, and experiences and uses them against you – causing you to question your own reality. It's a deliberate tactic of control, and it can happen so gradually that you don't recognize it until you're deep in the cycle of love bombing and gaslighting.

Common signs of gaslighting include:

• Constantly second-guessing yourself or your memory
• Feeling confused or "crazy" more often than usual
• Making excuses for your partner's behavior to family and friends
• Feeling like everything is your fault
• Withdrawing from people you used to be close to

If you notice these gaslighting behavioral cues in your own life or someone you care about, know that help is available. Organizations like the WCA and the National Domestic Violence Hotline provide confidential support with no judgment. Learning to set healthy boundaries is often an important first step toward recovery.

Getting Help: Domestic Violence Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, these resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All services are free and confidential.

Women's and Children's Alliance (Boise, ID)

• 24-hour hotline: 208-343-7025
• Website: wcaboise.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

• Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• Text: Send START to 88788
• Chat: thehotline.org
• Available in 200+ languages

Additional Resources

• StrongHearts Native Helpline: 844-762-8483 (for Native Americans and Alaska Natives)
• National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 866-311-9474
• Deaf Hotline Video Phone: 855-812-1001

You don't have to have everything figured out before you call. These hotlines exist for exactly the moment when you're unsure, scared, or just need someone to listen. If you're recovering from an abusive relationship, you may also benefit from understanding emotional recovery after gaslighting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Women's and Children's Alliance do?

The Women's and Children's Alliance (WCA) provides safety, healing, and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault. Their services include 24-hour crisis hotlines, secure emergency shelter and transitional housing, professional counseling, court advocacy, case management, financial empowerment programs, support groups, and youth services. All services are free and serve a four-county area in southern Idaho.

How can I volunteer at the Women's and Children's Alliance?

To volunteer with the WCA, register on their VolunteerMatters platform and complete the volunteer application. Then email volunteer@wcaboise.org or call 208-343-3688 ext. 41 to schedule an interview. Volunteer roles include administrative support, court advocacy, thrift shop assistance, and outreach event support. Direct-service roles typically include training.

What items does the WCA accept as donations?

The WCA accepts new and like-new clothing, toiletries, baby items (diapers, formula, clothing), gift cards to grocery and retail stores, business attire for court and job interviews, bedding, towels, and household essentials. You can also shop their Amazon Wish List or make financial contributions through wcaboise.org. The WCA participates in Idaho Gives and accepts workplace giving through Benevity.

Does the WCA provide services for children?

Yes. The WCA offers a Kids group for ages 7 through 12 that focuses on self-esteem, self-awareness, and healthy relationships. Teens ages 13 to 16 can join an 8-week group program on the cycle of violence and positive coping skills. Individual counseling is available for teens over 14. Licensed childcare is provided while parents access services.

How do I get help if I'm experiencing domestic violence in Boise?

Call the WCA's 24-hour hotline at 208-343-7025. You can also reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. All services are free, confidential, and available 24/7 in over 200 languages. You don't need to have a plan – trained advocates will help you explore your options.

Is gaslighting a form of domestic violence?

Yes. Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse where someone manipulates you into questioning your own reality, memory, and perception. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 74 percent of female domestic violence victims also experience gaslighting. Signs include constantly second-guessing yourself, feeling confused, and withdrawing from friends and family. If you recognize these patterns, reach out to the WCA or the National Hotline for confidential support.