Downtown Women's Center

What Downtown Women's Center does

Downtown Women's Center (DWC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1978 in the Skid Row community of downtown Los Angeles. Its mission is to end homelessness for women and survivors of violence through an integrated service model spanning permanent supportive housing, a drop-in Day Center, clinical and wellness programs, workforce development, and a social enterprise (MADE by DWC). As of 2025, DWC operates 159+ permanent supportive housing units with 140+ additional units under construction (NoHo 5050 opened May 2024, Oatsie's Place opening 2025, Rosa's Place opening 2027, expanding downtown capacity from 119 to 216 units), and serves nearly 5,000 women and survivors annually across all programs, including 260,000+ nutritious meals served per year and 99%+ housing retention in its Permanent Supportive Housing Program.

The organization's service architecture is built on a proprietary Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and Trauma & Resiliency-Informed Care (TRIC) framework, integrating low-barrier access (no formal intake required at the Day Center), individualized case management, evidence-based clinical interventions (CRM, TF-CBT, NET, Seeking Safety, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing), and co-located specialty services including the Trauma Recovery Center (in partnership with Peace Over Violence) and the only women-only health clinic on Skid Row (in partnership with JWCH). The MADE by DWC social enterprise operates a café, resale boutique, production studio, and consumer products line that provides paid transitional employment to program participants.

DWC's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations, corporate sponsorships and galas (Every Woman Housed Gala raising $800K-$1.16M annually), federal/state/local government grants (LAHSA contracts, $26.5M AHSC capital award), foundation grants (Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, California Victims Compensation Board, Foxwynd Foundation), social enterprise sales, fee-based professional training (Mental Health First Aid at $125/person, TIC/TRIC at $65-$100/person), and a $10/month Leadership Council subscription. The organization is governed by a board with leadership from Fox Corporation, Accenture, Munger Tolles & Olson, Capital Group, BMO Bank, Latham & Watkins, and other major institutions, and operates with 231 employees and 5,000+ volunteers contributing 30,000+ hours annually.

Name

Downtown Women's Center

Legal name

Downtown Women's Center

Website

https://downtownwomenscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Downtown Women's Center is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1978, that ends homelessness for women and survivors of violence through 159+ permanent supportive housing units, a drop-in Day Center, trauma-informed clinical services, workforce development, and the MADE by DWC social enterprise, serving nearly 5,000 participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services and Supportive Housing

NAICS

Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Permanent supportive housing
• Trauma-informed care
• Workforce development
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting the mission to end women's homelessness
2. Corporate Sponsorships & Gala Revenue: Annual Every Woman Housed Gala and other events generate $800,000-$1.16 million annually from corporate sponsorships and ticket sales
3. Government Grants & Contracts: Federal, state, and local government funding for housing programs, homeless services, and supportive services including LAHSA contracts and AHSC program funding
4. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, and California Victims Compensation Board
5. Social Enterprise (MADE by DWC): Revenue from MADE by DWC social enterprise selling candles, crafts, and products created by women in job training program. Includes café, resale boutique, production studio, and consumer products line.
6. Training Program Fees: Mental Health First Aid training ($125/person), Trauma & Resiliency-Informed Care ($65/person), Trauma-Informed De-escalation ($100/person)
7. Leadership Council Membership: Monthly recurring donations ($10/month) from Leadership Council members with exclusive benefits including professional development, networking, and advocacy opportunities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Downtown Women's Center is a nonprofit social services organization that operates permanent supportive housing (159+ units) and a drop-in Day Center providing meals, showers, case management, and basic needs for women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. It delivers integrated wellness (mental health, primary care via JWCH clinic), workforce development including the MADE by DWC social enterprise, advocacy training, and domestic violence housing within a trauma-informed care framework. The organization also offers paid professional trainings (Mental Health First Aid, Trauma & Resiliency-Informed Care, Trauma-Informed De-escalation) and a recurring Leadership Council membership program.

Product overview

Downtown Women's Center is a nonprofit social services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs to end women's homelessness in Los Angeles. The core offerings include: Permanent Supportive Housing providing 159+ units of safe housing with wraparound supportive services; a Day Center providing daily meals, showers, case management, and basic needs; Health & Wellness services including a Women's Health Clinic and mental health counseling; Workforce Development and Learning Center providing job training and employment support; MADE by DWC, a social enterprise offering paid job training through cafe, boutique, and production operations; Trauma Recovery Center providing specialized care for crime survivors; and LEADS advocacy program empowering participants to drive systems change. These programs work together within a trauma-informed care framework, providing a continuum from emergency needs to long-term stability and economic independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MADE by DWC: Downtown Women's Center's social enterprise creating economic opportunity through paid job training in a supportive women-and-survivor-centered learning environment. Operates a café, resale boutique, production studio, and consumer products line.

Products and services

• Permanent Supportive Housing Program Provides 159+ units of permanent supportive housing across Los Angeles County (Skid Row, North Hollywood) paired with individualized case management, health care access, job readiness, and community-building activities to help women and survivors achieve long-term stability. DWC's flagship residential program, achieving 99%+ housing retention.
• Day Center Drop-in day center at 442 S. San Pedro Street, open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, providing three daily meals, showers, restrooms, mail, laundry, telephones, case management, and connections to housing and healthcare for women and survivors experiencing homelessness. No appointment required for basic services.
• Women's Health Clinic Health clinic exclusively serving women in the Skid Row community, operated in partnership with John Wesley Community Health Institute (JWCH). Provides primary care, early health screenings, chronic condition support, specialist referrals, and enrichment activities in a women-and-survivor-centered setting.
• Trauma Recovery Center Trauma Recovery Center providing supportive services, outreach, emergency and healing interventions to underserved survivors of violent crime including sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, physical assault, and human trafficking. Services available in English, Spanish, and ASL. Established in 2015 in partnership with Peace Over Violence.
• Community-Based Housing Program Housing program placing people experiencing homelessness in housing throughout Los Angeles County, with priority emphasis on supporting survivors of domestic violence with safe housing and connecting them with supportive services.
• Domestic Violence Housing Program prioritizing urgent needs of domestic violence survivors experiencing homelessness, providing rapid placement into safe housing along with case management, mental health support, job training, transportation, temporary rental assistance, and referrals for legal and childcare services.
• Workforce Development Program Employment support services providing paid transitional employment, individualized support, Learning Center access, career readiness workshops, job placement, and connections to employment at MADE by DWC and across the community. In 2025, 200 people participated and 88 secured employment (a 30% increase over the prior year).
• MADE by DWC Social Enterprise Social enterprise creating economic opportunity through paid job training in a supportive women-and-survivor-centered learning environment. Operates a cafe, resale boutique, production studio, and consumer products line (candles, crafts, café items). All products created by women in the job training program.
• LEADS Advocacy Program LEADS (Lived Experience Advocates Driving Systems Change) program providing participants with tools, training, and support to become confident advocates, building skills across storytelling, public policy, media relations, and helping shape systems and policy decisions.
• Community Trainings Paid professional training offerings for external participants including Mental Health First Aid ($125/person, includes Mental Health First Aid Action Plan certification, maximum 30 registrations per purchase), Trauma & Resiliency-Informed Care ($65/person), and Trauma-Informed De-escalation ($100/person combining de-escalation and TIC content). Delivered virtually and in-person.
• Leadership Council Membership Monthly recurring giving program ($10/month) for dedicated supporters committed to ending women's homelessness. Includes monthly donation, participation in general meetings and volunteer opportunities, attendance at annual twilight celebration, and exclusive access to professional development, networking, advocacy actions, and holiday volunteer events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99%+ housing retention rate for residents in Permanent Supportive Housing
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary, minor and primary.

• Daylight Community DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing development partner for NoHo 5050 (40-unit development in North Hollywood), Oatsie's Place (45-unit development in Van Nuys), and Rosa's Place (97-unit campus expansion in Skid Row). Partnership includes development, design, and construction coordination for DWC's major housing expansion.
• DECRO CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing development partner for NoHo 5050 and Oatsie's Place residential developments. Contributes to property development and operational planning.
• Trillium Property ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty management partner for NoHo 5050 and Oatsie's Place, ensuring quality residential operations for women and trauma survivors.
• GTM HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Rosa's Place 97-unit supportive housing campus expansion adjacent to DWC's existing Skid Row residence.
• GenslercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for Rosa's Place development, bringing design expertise to create supportive housing environment for women and survivors.
• KFA ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for Rosa's Place supportive housing campus, contributing to design of trauma-informed residential environment.
• Barker Management Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty management partner for Rosa's Place, ensuring quality long-term residential operations.
• StudioElevencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for Oatsie's Place development in Van Nuys, contributing to design of supportive housing for women and families.
• FSY ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for NoHo 5050 development in North Hollywood.
• John Wesley Community Health Institute (JWCH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates the Women's Health Clinic in partnership with DWC, providing essential healthcare in Skid Row in a women-and-survivor-centered setting. Offers primary care, early health screenings, chronic condition support, specialist referrals, and enrichment activities. JWCH has operated clinic at DWC since its founding as the first health clinic exclusively serving women in Skid Row.
• Peace Over ViolencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) established in 2015. TRC provides comprehensive care to underserved survivors of violent crime including sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking. Co-location at DWC's Day Center enables unique access to women experiencing homelessness.
• LA:RISEsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partnership providing participants with hands-on paid training opportunities, including roles within MADE by DWC social enterprise. Helps women gain experience in customer service, sales, and product development.
• Urban GardensminorOthersDonated vertical hydroponic gardens for DWC's San Pedro Street residence patio, where residents grow lettuces, kale, and seasonal vegetables.
• Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional homelessness authority; DWC partnered as official service provider for Project Roomkey during COVID-19, housing women experiencing homelessness in hotels. DWC is part of the Domestic Violence & Homeless Services Coalition working with LAHSA.
• Rainbow ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder with DWC of the Domestic Violence & Homeless Services Coalition (DVHSC) in 2016, focusing on intersection of domestic violence and homelessness.
• Community Legal Aid SoCalsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in Domestic Violence & Homeless Services Coalition (DVHSC), providing legal advocacy and support for survivors.
• CSH Speak Up!secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in DVHSC, contributing expertise in supportive housing and systems change.
• Los Angeles County Domestic Violence CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in DVHSC, providing policy guidance and advocacy coordination for domestic violence services.
• National Alliance for Safe HousingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in 2019 to develop toolkit for housing developers and providers on creating Permanent Supportive Housing for survivors of domestic violence.
• Urban InstituteprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for the 2022 Los Angeles County Women's Needs Assessment, conducting largest study of its kind on homeless women across Los Angeles County.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hollywood Community Housing Corporation: LA nonprofit operating permanent supportive housing across Hollywood and surrounding areas. Comparable PSH operating model serving formerly homeless individuals with on-site supportive services.
• Rainbow Services: LA-based domestic violence service provider offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and counseling. Directly comparable as a co-founder of the DVHSC coalition alongside DWC, with overlapping DV-and-homelessness mission.
• Skid Row Housing Trust: LA-based nonprofit operating supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in and around Skid Row. Highly comparable to DWC given overlapping service area, PSH model, and target population served.
• Jenesse Center: LA-based domestic violence shelter and services provider serving women and children experiencing abuse and homelessness. Closely aligned mission and target population to DWC's DV Housing program.
• A Community of Friends: LA nonprofit developing and operating supportive housing for special needs populations including those exiting homelessness. Comparable PSH operating model with on-site supportive services.
• PATH (People Assisting The Homeless): LA-based nonprofit providing supportive housing, interim housing, and employment services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Comparable comprehensive model across housing, wellness, and workforce development.
• Lamp Community: LA-based nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness through housing, mental health, and wraparound services. Similar comprehensive services-to-housing pipeline as DWC.

Emerging players

• Homeboy Industries: LA-based social enterprise providing job training, employment, and wraparound services (alongside its cafés and product lines). Comparable integrated social-enterprise-plus-employment model to MADE by DWC.
• Chrysalis: LA nonprofit providing workforce development, transitional employment, and job placement for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable to DWC's MADE by DWC social enterprise and Workforce Development program.

Others

• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Regional funder and convening organization coordinating LA's homelessness response, including the Home for Good initiative. Operates upstream of DWC as a convener/funder rather than direct service provider, but closely coupled through funding relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dwcweb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/downtown-womens-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/dwcweb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Downtown Women's Center