When most people hear WomenShelter, they think of an emergency shelter where women (and now men) fleeing from a dangerous domestic violence situation can take refuge.

That is indeed an important part of serving victims of abuse, as is the 24-hour hotline for emergencies. Both can be literally lifesaving.

But the bulk of services rendered at WomenShelter Long Beach are in the calmer setting of the Domestic Violence Resource Center. This is where counseling sessions – both one-on-one and group – take place. It’s where referrals for social services, health care or legal help are arranged.

It’s also where most of the gift cards collected in the annual Gazette Gift Card Drive are distributed to those in need. More about that in a bit. First, let’s learn about the Resource Center and what goes on there.

All of these services are completely free of charge. Confidentiality is a top priority. And counseling sessions are tailored to handle specific situations and demographics.

There are supportive services for children and youth victims of domestic violence, up to and including peer counseling for teen dating violence victims. The small WomenShelter counseling staff – three when fully staffed, plus a supervisor – spend most of their time with adults.

“We usually start with individual counseling,” Maria Perez, the lead case manager, said. “It is counseling, not therapy. We don’t do therapy because we’re not therapists. And we facilitate the groups.”

Most of the clients – and they are clients, not victims – are women, often with children. But WomenShelter is seeing an increase in men seeking help, Perez said. There is an LGBTQ+ support group, and a co-ed group started recently.

“Just like the women, the men come in acting a little embarrassed,” Perez said. “They are a little scared too – it’s hard to open up and tell your story. But the groups are very welcoming.”

In addition to standing support groups there are two more formalized programs of 16 (Domestic Violence Education) and 21 (Life Skills) weeks, respectively. For 90 minutes each week, the groups go over what constitutes domestic violence – verbal abuse can hurt as much as a physical blow – individual situations, ways to cope and more.

“Some aren’t convinced they are suffering from domestic violence,” Perez said. “Others might feel like it’s their fault, that they’re doing something wrong. Then comes the ah-ha moment when they understand.”

Those being helped at the Resource Center range from survivors trying to navigate life on their own to people trying to decide what to do to change the dynamics of their home.

Tools learned during the COVID-19 pandemic are still in use, too. Perez and the other case managers find themselves connecting virtually to try to help undocumented people afraid to leave their homes.

“We understand their fear,” she said. “We try to validate their feelings and help where we can. We’re not sure how to keep them safe, but we try to help with the abuse situation as best we can by phone and over Zoom.”

Perez said that almost everyone who comes to the Resource Center for help can benefit from the Gift Card Drive, especially during the holiday season. Those who have children are even more in need.

“For example, I have a client who just got a new place,” Perez said. “She asked for a bed, and for sheets for the children for Christmas. We have to urge them to ask for a little more.”

That’s where you come in, gentle reader. With your donation to the Gazette Gift Card Drive, you can provide the resources to help brighten lives facing dark times.

How do I know? Twenty-one years of experience. In those 21 years, when the Grunion Gazette Gift Card Drive asked readers to donate a gift card or two, to write a check or make an online donation, you responded to the tune of more than $350,000.

In the last few years, the daily Press-Telegram has joined in the drive, and P-T readers have added their generosity to the cause. The P-T is the Grunion’s sister publication, with both owned by the Southern California News Group, and I truly appreciate the partnership.

I know your generosity in the face of such need will prevail, but just in case, we have a bit of incentive for you too. Anyone donating $50 or more in cash or gift cards will be entered into a drawing for a table of 10 at the Long Beach Symphony’s Sounds of Laurel Canyon Pops concert on March 21, 2026.

In this case, the best gift cards are from those “everything” stores like WalMart and Target. But we’re not picky – anything is truly appreciated.

You can drop gift cards or checks off at the WomenShelter’s Resource Center, 4201 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 102, or at drop boxes in stores around the city. You can also donate by mail to Grunion Gift Card Drive, P.O. Box 17098, Long Beach, CA 90807.

Checks should be made out to WomenShelter Long Beach with Gift Card Drive on the memo line.

We have joined the modern era, and you can also donate directly online at the WomenShelter website, www.womenshelterlb.org. Go to the bottom of the home page and click on the Support The Grunion Holiday Gift Card Drive link or use this link – Donation Form.

Christmas is going to be here before you know it, and this will be a short drive – the deadline for donations is Dec. 14 so the cards can be distributed before the holiday.

So as soon as you’re done packing the Thanksgiving leftovers, please take the time to make a donation. When you do, lots of thanks will be coming your way.