Spotlight: Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS)/Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice

Throughout this holiday season, Leesburg Patch will be profiling local nonprofits. Do you have a suggestion? Email erica.hendry at patch.com.

You can see all Leesburg nonprofit spotlights here.

Mission: To provide services to domestic and sexual violence victims in Loudoun County.  

Contact Information:

Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice/Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter

For immediate assistance, call the 24-hour hotline at 703-777-6552.

105 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176

703-771-3398; laws@lcsj.org 

Financials:

Their annual budget is $1.1 million dollars.  LAWS receives half of its budget from government grants.  The other half is made up of a combination of individual and business grants, United Way workplace campaign funds and profits from their thrift store, The Resourceful Woman, located in Leesburg.   

History:

LAWS opened in 1985 and has several locations serving the area. 

The first is a shelter that has 12 beds for women and children.  This provides temporary emergency shelter, food and emotional support to women and their children who were escaping domestic violence and abuse.

 In downtown Leesburg, there is the Community Service Center which opened in 2001 (at its current location).  This is where people can go for free counseling, legal services, support groups and parenting classes. 

Since 2008, they have also been operating the Loudoun Child Advocacy Center, which supports child sexual abuse victims and their non-offending parents.  Today, LAWS offers services to over 1,500 Loudoun County residents annually. 

How you can help:

The Resourceful Woman Thrift Store is always accepting donations of gently used and new clothing, books, toys, as well as small household items.

The Resourceful Woman Thrift Shop

11-A Loudoun St, SW

Leesburg, VA 20175703-771-8173

“We still are in need of gift cards in small amounts, such as $5, $10 or $20, for places like Target, Walmart, gas stations and grocery stores.  These gift cards are used throughout the year to give to our clients and they are invaluable, especially the gas gift cards,” said Nicole Acosta, Executive Director of LAWS.

“During the holidays we have an Adopt-a-family program where we match families with donors to provide gifts for those in need, but all of our families have been taken care of this year,” Acosta added.  If someone is interested in this program for next year, please contact Acosta for more information.

 Their annual fundraising event “Casino for a Cause” will be held from 7 - 11 p.m. April 27at the Trump National Golf Center, 20391 Lowes Island Boulevard Sterling. 703-444-4801.  More information can be found at lcsj.org.