About DWC – ABBA House – Amarillo
DWC – ABBA House (Downtown Women’s Center) in Amarillo, Texas, serves women and children affected by homelessness and addiction. Founded in 1989 by Sister Mary Virginia Clark, Abba House is the organization’s flagship program. Here, women in the early stages of recovery have a safe, stable environment in which to live and raise their children while working toward their goals.
Abba House is made up of 10 small, comfortable apartments where families can have privacy while living in a communal setting. Bathrooms and living areas are shared, and residents take part in group meetings and activities which foster a sense of community, responsibility and accountability while facilitating lasting relationships.
During their stay at Abba House, women learn essential life skills and hone their ability to care for themselves and their family. Each woman works with a case manager who helps them identify their objectives, access resources and utilize their newfound tools.
Most women stay at Abba House for four to six months before moving to the next phase of recovery: Gratitude House in downtown Amarillo. It’s great that the DWC offers a continuum of services to support women at every phase of their recovery journey, offering much-needed stability and security. I also appreciate that they provide essential dental and medical services, as co-occurring health issues can significantly interfere with recovery and overall well being.
DWC’s holistic, compassionate approach to care has a proven track record of success. In fact, many DWC staff members who work in the organization’s thrift stores and sober houses are successful graduates.
Gallery
