Since 1969, CCS's history has been marked by innovation, foresight and dedication. We are committed to solving the problems of violence and abuse, improving the lives of survivors and changing the social conditions that breed and tolerate their existence. Key agency accomplishments include:
| 1969 |
Center for Community Solutions was first established as the Center for Women's Studies and Services, a seven-component political, educational and service organization at San Diego State University. |
1977 |
Center for Community Solutions opens San Diego's first 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence.
An "underground railroad," (a network of private homes and emergency resources) is organized to help women escape from violent or abusive environments and establish new lives in San Diego County. |
1980 |
The Rape Crisis Center is launched with State funding. |
1983 |
Center for Community Solutions opens the first Temporary Restraining Order Clinic for battered women in the state of California. CCS was the first organization in California to provide formal counseling for battered women and children.
The Rape Crisis Center establishes the Latino Outreach Program for sexual assault victims with funding from the Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP).
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1986 |
CCS begins to provide state-mandated training to the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. At the request of CCS, a series of meetings with law enforcement officials leads to the formation of a formal domestic violence liaison with the San Diego Police Department. |
1988 |
Project Safehouse opens as a full-service shelter allowing stays of up to 28 days and is the first facility to address the lack of emergency housing for battered women in south and east San Diego County. |
1989 |
CCS Legal Clinic establishes an all-volunteer Dissolution of Marriage Clinic for battered women. The Legal Clinic begins to provide court accompaniment for non-English speaking clients. |
1991 |
The Rape Crisis Center is formally incorporated into the County's Sexual Assault Response Team. The Center's 24-hour Hotline is operated by 150 trained staff and volunteer counselors. |
1995 |
Center for Women's Studies and Services changes our name in an attempt to be more inclusive in providing services. |
1996 |
A collaborative partnership is formed to develop Through the Eyes of Children, an exhibit and performance in which youth educate youth about healthy relationships. |
1997 |
CCS assists in organizing a Pacific Beach collaborative known as Beach Pride. CCS opens an after-school program at Pacific Beach Middle School.
CCS opens an East County office in response to requests for services for unmet needs in the community.
Awarded one of OCJP's SART Grants, the first in the state to provide advocacy throughout the entire criminal justice system. |
1998 |
CCS is awarded an OCJP pilot project to counsel children and teens who have witnessed family violence. |
1999 |
CCS expands its residential services for families experiencing domestic violence from emergency shelter to transitional housing.
CCS develops a puppet show for elementary school-aged children which teaches about healthy relationships. |
2000 |
A collaborative partnership is formed to develop WINGS (Working to Insure and Nurture Girls' Success), a gender specific support program for first and second time juvenile offenders.
CCS Legal Clinic establishes Project Safe Harbor with San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and Helix Center for Family Development to operate a Temporary Restraining Order clinic at East County Courthouse.
San Diego County Bar Association recognizes CCS with the Distinguished Organization Award for outstanding advocacy services. |
2001 |
CCS awarded the East County and the Northeast Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) grant to provide first response services to victims of domestic violence and their children. |
2002 |
In partnership with Children's Hospital, CCS adds a teen advocacy component to our current Rape Crisis Center. Teens aged 14-18 will receive 24-hour hospital accompaniment and an advocate throughout any criminal justice proceedings.
CCS launches San Diego County's only youth-to-youth helpline as part of a collaboration with the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services, California Hospital Improvement Plan (CHIP), and Children's Initiative.
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2003 |
2003 CCS' Ahimsa Project wins Channel 10's Leadership Award for Nonprofit of the Year.
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2004 |
CCS is selected to receive an Oprah Angel Network Foundation Grant in recognition for the outstanding contribution the Center has made to San Diego.
CCS Celebrates its 35th anniversary with a community-day celebration to honor volunteers and survivors and show appreciation for continuing community support. |
2005 |
CCS's North County Next Step Domestic Violence Housing program benefits from $100,000 of building supplies from Home Depot Supply and countless hours of volunteer construction from Associated General Contractors Apprentices.
CCS launches Domestic Violence Services programs in the Central, East, and North Inland regions of San Diego County. Emergency response and advocacy are provided in over 12 languages. |
2006 |
CCS is funded by the Office of Violence Against Women to develop pilot
programs for individuals escaping family violence that also are struggling with
substance abuse problems. In collaboration with McAllister Institute and Serenity House, CCS begins developing state of the art interventions that address domestic violence and substance abuse issues.
CCS partners with the County of San Diego, Children's Hospital and Child and
Adolescent Research Center with a program called Safe Start to develop best
practices for the treatment of children who have exposed domestic violence. The project is part of a national pilot program to increase knowledge and
expertise in working with children who have experienced or witnessed violence.
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| 2007 |
CCS’s North County emergency shelter, Hidden Valley House, is selected by KGVTV/10News as the recipient of a $250,000 Extreme Home Makeover, giving the shelter a brighter, more nurturing family environment in which to heal from trauma.
CCS launches the runaway homeless youth Connections Initiative. One of only seven programs like it in the nation, it is an innovative collaboration between CCS and San Diego Youth and Community Services which aims to reduce and prevent teen relationship violence among the runaway homeless youth population by recognizing the connections between family violence, teen relationship violence, and homelessness.
CCS is selected as one of three nonprofit agencies in San Diego to receive $300,000 worth of hardware and software from Fujitsu at the direction of the Junior Seau Foundation.
CCS is honored to have world renowned feminist activist Gloria Steinem as the featured speaker at the annual Tea by the Sea fundraiser. Ms. Steinem is an award-winning writer, lecturer, editor and human rights activist.
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| 2008 |
CCS purchases our Next Step Transitional Housing complex in North County with the assistance of the City of Escondido, San Francisco National Bank and California Bank and Trust.
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| 2009 |
CCS launches HOPE (Help and Outreach to Protect the Elderly) Team program, creating a comprehensive elder abuse wraparound service model through the development of agency partnerships, multi-disciplinary services at the San Diego Family Justice Center, individualized case review, and long-term sensitive client support.
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Since 1969, CCS's history has been marked by innovation, foresight and dedication. We are committed to solving the problems of violence and abuse, improving the lives of survivors and changing the social conditions that breed and tolerate their existence. Key agency accomplishments include:
