Photo: Alina Simone
					WOMAN, Inc: Transitional Housing for Battered Woman
				(left)W.O.M.A.N. Inc.'s Daycare Center
		Without the prospect of safe and affordable housing, battered women and their children face the possibility of homelessness. This harsh reality confronts more than 2,500 battered women in the Houston/Galveston area. In 1993 the directors of nine shelters founded W.O.M.A.N. (Women Opting for More Affordable Housing Now) Inc. Their first project was Destiny Village, an apartment complex that provides up to two years of transitional housing for 30 battered women and their families. W.O.M.A.N. Inc provides access to job training, day care and counseling through a partnership with a social service agency. Residents are encouraged to develop leadership and organizational skills by participating in the management of Destiny Village or by serving on the board of directors. A second site, Beacon Place, was recently completed in Galveston.
		All my needs have been met here in one way or another. The apartments are beautiful, we’re close to stores and there is enough room for the children to run around and play. It’s affordable and I feel very secure. Destiny Village is like a whole little world for us where we feel safe. Now I’m also staff here . I work in the infant room. It’s helped my self-esteem to be able to hold a job that I like doing. Through this job I’ve learned that this is what I want to do as a life long career, work with children. I haven’t gone to school for 20 years. Now I’m going to college to get my CDA and further my career."			Maria Santos came to Destiny Village with her two children after leaving her abusive partner.