The Women’s Community Rehabilitation Center (WCRC) has been providing comprehensive rehabilitation services in a residential setting to women in the Greater Baton Rouge Area since 1974. From 1974 until 1978, we provided services to young female offenders and female work release prisoners referred through the judicial system. As the needs in the community and economic conditions changed, so did our client base. Since 1978, we have been privileged to serve a population often overlooked or ignored, women with severe and persistent mental illness, who are most often homeless. In our safe and secure home-like setting, we provide mental health care through a structured program focusing on education, therapy, and vocational development. Prior to 1991, WCRC was an outside agency under the Baton Rouge City Parish. As a result of the reorganization of the Baton Rouge City Parish in 1991, it was determined WCRC would no longer be considered a City Parish agency. WCRC approached the Louisiana Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (UpLIFTD), a non-profit private corporation serving persons with disabilities, about possible affiliation. In April 1992, the UpLIFTD board voted to accept WCRC as a component of its program. WCRC’s facility is a renovated fire station located in downtown Baton Rouge, 855 St. Ferdinand St. It is the goal of WCRC to assist mentally ill female residents in achieving total independence by completing our Residential Treatment Program according to their treatment plans to the best of their ability with the support of WCRC staff.

 

WCRC funding sources have also changed over time as the community needs, economic conditions, and political climates have changed. What has remained strong and consistent has been our community’s belief and support of WCRC. On occasions when funding sources have ceased to exist and the ability to continue the programs of WCRC has been in question, individuals, agencies, and institutions in our community have repeatedly rallied to support WCRC.

WCRC has provided its services uninterrupted and within budget for 45 years. Over 1000 women have benefited from our programs and we proudly boast of an 87% success rate. Our history exemplifies the validity of our program and we are committed to a long, successful future.