About Crisis Center North

Message from the Executive Director

Crisis Center North is committed to assisting victims of domestic violence in our community through a variety of resources and services. Ongoing evaluation of programs allow Center staff to develop strategies to interrupt the cycle of violence in our community.

Crisis Center North provides thousands of hours of free educational/empowerment counseling to adult and child victims of domestic violence each year.

History/Mission/Philosophy

In 1978, thirteen women, representing various groups, joined forces with volunteers from the community and coordinated their effort, time and resources to establish the North Hills Women's Center (NHWC). NHWC developed a specialized program of intervention, support and education. In November of 1982, NHWC changed its name to Crisis Center North and became incorporated.

Crisis Center North is a non-profit counseling and educational resource center, serving victims of domestic violence, their children, and teens involved in violent dating relationships in the northern and western communities of Allegheny County.

The mission of Crisis Center North is to empower victims of domestic violence and cultivate community attitudes and behaviors that break the cycle of violence.

Crisis Center North has been a program member of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence since its incorporation. The Coalition is a statewide organization of 62 domestic violence programs that ensure that member organizations maintain the highest standards and provide quality service to victims of domestic violence across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Services are provided to individuals regardless of race, age, gender, disability, economic status, or sexual orientation. Trained professionals and volunteers provided CCN's services free of charge to all domestic violence victims who request assistance.
Services include:

  • 24-hour hotline
  • Individual and group counseling for adults and children
  • Case management services
  • Legal advocacy
  • Medical advocacy
  • Community prevention education programming

Recent Awards Received

2006

  • Dr. John Chapin, volunteer, received the 2006 Pennsylvania Governor's Victim Service Pathfinder Award, the 2006 Arcadia Award, and NOVA's (National Organization of Victim Assistance) 2006 Stephen Schafer Research Award. Each of these awards honored the research work that Dr. Chapin has done for CCN. Since 2001, Dr. Chapin has been actively involved with CCN, researching the concept of optimistic bias. Optimistic bias offers an explanation as to why some believe they are less likely to be a victim of crime than others. Dr. Chapin has incorporated this concept into CCN's School-based Prevention Education Program as well as the Medical Advocacy Program. Both programs have received national and international attention as a result.