Social Service - Women's Informational Services (WISE)

WISE has been serving the needs of the Upper Valley since 1971. Our Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs provide a continuum of services and supports for victims and their children with the aim of making the Upper Valley a safer place for families to live. In FY 2004, WISE provided services and supports to over 120 Hartford residents and their children. This is an increase from the 83 residents we served in 2002. We also provided many youth outreach programs on healthy relationships to Hartford middle and high school students.

WISE provides a full-range of services to the Upper Valley through its three programs: Domestic Violence Program; Sexual Violence Program; and our Community Education and Outreach Program.

Services included in our Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs include: 24-Hour Crisis Line; Medical Advocacy; Legal Advocacy; Emergency Shelter; Supportive Services; Information and Referral; Support Groups; Children's Group and Transitional Housing. Services included in our Community Education and Outreach Program includes: Youth Outreach & Schools Program; WISE Library; Tailored Community Trainings; Information Materials; PowerPoint Presentations and Public Awareness Activities.

Support from the Town of Hartford allows WISE to continue to accompany victims of violence and abuse to local court, police stations, and hospitals and provide free services. Our advocates will assist your Police Department whenever they may request our assistance. We work closely with the Hartford Police Department and state offices in White River Junction. This past year WISE collaborated with the Hartford Police Department to reconvene the Windsor County Domestic Violence Task Force. The Task Force meets monthly on topics related to domestic violence.

We want to thank the Town of Hartford for its ongoing support of our work and we look forward to working together with you to make the Upper Valley a safer place to live.

Margaret R. O'Neil, Executive Director

The Hartford Housing Authority | Windsor County Partners | Health Care & Rehabilitation of Southern Vermont | Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) | Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) | The Upper Valley Haven, Inc. | Women's Information Services (WISE) | The Vermont Center for Independent Living | Vermont Adult Learning | Visiting Nurse Alliance of Vermont and New Hampshire, Inc. | The Family Place | Headrest | Bugbee Senior Center | Advance Transit