The United Community Center of Westchester, Inc. (UCCW) is dedicated to providing essential resources to meet the basic needs of individuals facing challenging situations. Our mission centers on offering healthcare, education, nutritious food, safe shelter, and emergency assistance to those who need it most. We are committed to thoroughly assessing each individual case to understand our clients’ unique circumstances. This comprehensive approach enables us to identify and connect them with the specific resources and services they are entitled to, whether it’s medical care, educational programs, food security, safe housing, or emergency support.
Recognizing that we cannot address every need alone, we have established strong partnerships with external agencies to create a robust support system. We collaborate closely with hospitals, county offices, government agencies, law enforcement, housing authorities, and other community organizations. These strategic partnerships enhance our capacity to serve our clients more effectively and provide them access to a broad range of services and resources. Our work with hospitals and clinics ensures that those in need of medical care receive appropriate treatment. Additionally, our partnerships with county offices and government agencies help our clients access the programs and benefits they are eligible for. Through our cooperation with law enforcement, we are able to offer a safe and secure environment for those seeking shelter and emergency assistance.
We carefully analyze each individual case to ensure our clients receive the resources and services to which they are entitled.
We understand the importance of connecting and collaborating with external agencies as a vital part of providing this much-needed support system. This collaboration is made possible through our partnerships with hospitals, county offices, government agencies, law enforcement, housing authorities, and other community-based organizations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you are not alone.
The United Community Center of Westchester (UCCW) is here to help providing a safe, compassionate, and confidential space where survivors and their families can heal, rebuild, and begin again. Through our “Between Friends” Support Group and strong network of community partnerships, we help survivors restore safety, confidence, and hope while connecting them to the essential resources needed to thrive.
UCCW provides individualized case management, crisis intervention, and safety planning. Bilingual case workers guide survivors through every step, offering emotional support and connecting them to emergency resources such as food, clothing, and financial assistance.
Case workers also provide transportation to the Department of Social Services (DSS), shelters, and partner agencies to ensure survivors can access immediate help. When necessary, clients are referred to social workers from the Westchester County Office for Women (WCOFW) at Family Court, where they can receive legal advocacy and assistance.
UCCW helps survivors develop personalized safety and family protection plans, including custody arrangements and emergency contacts, especially critical for undocumented or mixed-status families facing potential deportation or separation.
In collaboration with local attorneys, the WCOFW, and advocacy partners, UCCW connects survivors to free legal consultations and guidance on Orders of Protection, VAWA self-petitions, U Visas, and T Visas, helping survivors and their children achieve long-term safety and stability.
UCCW offers empowerment workshops on emotional healing, rebuilding self-esteem, financial literacy, and employment readiness. Survivors learn practical tools to regain confidence, strengthen communication, and pursue personal and professional growth.
UCCW collaborates with local shelters, hospitals, counseling centers, and law enforcement to ensure survivors have access to safe housing, trauma counseling, childcare, and ongoing advocacy.
We also partner with 914Cares, Furniture Sharehouse, Feeding Westchester, and private donors to provide survivors and their children with clothing, shoes, furniture, and new twin beds, giving families leaving unsafe environments the dignity of a fresh start.
UCCW leads community workshops on domestic violence prevention, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention in schools, churches, and community spaces. These initiatives foster understanding, promote safety, and strengthen community responsibility to end violence.
All programs are offered in English and Spanish, with confidentiality and cultural sensitivity. Our team understands the unique challenges faced by immigrant and Latino survivors and provides compassionate, trauma-informed care that honors every individual’s story.
The “Between Friends” Support Group is UCCW’s cornerstone program for survivors of domestic violence, a holistic initiative dedicated to healing, empowerment, and renewal.
Held once a month, Between Friends offers a safe, confidential, and welcoming space where survivors can share experiences, rebuild self-confidence, and connect with others who understand their journey. Guided by bilingual facilitators, each session explores topics such as emotional healing, rebuilding self-esteem, managing thoughts and emotions, and developing self-awareness.
Throughout the year, participants engage in yoga with healing sounds and creative art therapy workshops through drawing and painting, offered in partnership with ArtsWestchester. These activities encourage mindfulness, creativity, and inner peace. Most supportive services are delivered in collaboration with the Westchester County Office for Women (WCOFW), ensuring professional, trauma-informed assistance.
Beyond emotional healing, participants gain access to computer literacy and ESOL classes, job search and skills development programs, and referrals to temporary shelters and affordable housing. UCCW also provides food, clothing, diapers, baby formula, women’s essentials, and emergency cash assistance, and assists with applications for SNAP, Temporary Assistance (TA), and other benefits to stabilize families in crisis.
Through trusted legal partners, survivors receive free immigration consultations and assistance completing VAWA, U Visa, and T Visa applications. A 24-hour emergency phone line (available six days per week) connects clients to trained staff who can respond to urgent needs immediately.
To support family recovery, UCCW operates the “Summer of Hope Camp,” offering children of survivors a safe, nurturing environment while their parents attend therapy, job training, or counseling sessions for up to 10 hours per week.
What makes Between Friends truly special is its peer-to-peer support network, a WhatsApp community where survivors stay connected, share resources, and encourage one another. Empowered members often mentor others, helping them find housing, job training, and employment opportunities, while breaking isolation and building a lasting community rooted in strength, solidarity, and hope.
If you or someone you know is in danger or needs confidential support, please call our
24-Hour Emergency Line: 914-760-3213
Our caring team is available six days per week to provide immediate assistance, guidance, and connection to safety.
During these challenging times, UCCW depends on the generosity of our community to keep vital services available for families in crisis.
Your monetary donation helps us provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, legal support, and healing programs for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
Every contribution brings hope, safety, and a new beginning to someone in need.
