History

For more than 40 years, Northwest Domestic Crisis Services, Inc. (NWDCS) has worked alongside individuals and families throughout northwestern Oklahoma during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

NWDCS first began providing services from its Woodward office. As the agency grew, it became increasingly clear that serving such a large and rural part of Oklahoma from one location was simply not enough. Distance can create a significant barrier for someone seeking help, particularly when safety, transportation, finances, or isolation are already concerns.

Recognizing both the need for local services and Guymon's role as a regional hub for the Oklahoma Panhandle, NWDCS established its Guymon location in 1993. Today, NWDCS operates six office locations and serves all ten counties of northwestern Oklahoma.

More Than a Shelter

NWDCS provides free and confidential services to individuals affected by domestic violence and related forms of victimization, including sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. Domestic violence itself can take many forms beyond physical violence, including sexual, financial, and psychological abuse, as well as isolation and other forms of coercive control.

The services NWDCS provides are just as varied as the circumstances of the people who seek help.

Services can include emergency shelter, transportation, clothing and basic necessities, food assistance, medication assistance, safety planning, court advocacy, assistance with protective orders, hospital and law-enforcement accompaniment, housing and utility assistance, rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention, referrals, employment assistance, help obtaining identification and important documents, life and parenting skills, and other individualized support.

Sometimes, however, what a person needs most is information and someone willing to listen.

NWDCS believes strongly in self-determination. Advocates do not exist to make decisions for the people they serve. Instead, they work to provide information, resources, support, and options so each individual can make informed decisions about their own life and determine what comes next.

That philosophy is especially important when working with people who may have spent months or years having their choices taken away from them. Helping someone move forward should not mean taking those choices away again.

Here When Help Is Needed

The Guymon office is staffed by ten employees, including eight full-time staff members and two on-call staff. While every member of the team serves as an advocate, staff members also fill specialized roles, including Coordinator, Shelter Manager, Sexual Assault Advocate, ESG Case Manager, and Shelter Advocates.

The Guymon office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and individuals are welcome to walk in without an appointment. NWDCS also operates a 24-hour crisis line, and its confidential emergency shelter operates around the clock.

The Guymon shelter can currently accommodate approximately 16 individuals. Shelter services are available to women and children, and NWDCS also provides services and assistance to male victims. Because safety is paramount, the shelter's location is confidential and individuals seeking emergency shelter should contact NWDCS rather than attempting to arrive at the shelter directly.

All NWDCS services are provided free of charge.

Part of the Community

For NWDCS, being part of Guymon means much more than having an office here.

The work of helping people rebuild safety and independence cannot happen within the walls of one organization. It requires a community.

Throughout the years, individuals, businesses, organizations, and community partners have supported NWDCS through monetary donations, clothing and other tangible necessities, assistance with events, and countless other acts of generosity. NWDCS also works alongside law enforcement, DHS, service organizations, and other community partners when those connections are appropriate and wanted.

At the same time, NWDCS wants community members to understand an important distinction: the agency is an independent community-based organization. Someone does not have to already be involved with law enforcement or another government system to reach out and ask NWDCS for help.

Sometimes a person may not even know exactly what kind of help they need. They can still call.

While NWDCS may not have every answer, its staff will listen, share the information they have, help explore available options, and work to connect community members with other resources when needed. A person does not have to be staying in the shelter to reach out for information or assistance.

That willingness to help extends beyond a list of programs or services. It is part of what being a community member means.

Recognition of a Team

Being selected as the Guymon Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month is a tremendous source of pride for Northwest Domestic Crisis Services.

More importantly, it provides an opportunity to recognize the people behind the work.

Every day, NWDCS staff members answer phones, provide transportation, accompany people to hospitals and courtrooms, help families find housing, work inside the shelter, connect people with resources, listen to difficult stories, celebrate successes, and help individuals take their next step toward independence.

Much of that work happens quietly and will never be publicly seen because protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those served is fundamental to the organization.

Being recognized as Business of the Month shines a light on that work and on the staff members who perform it every day.

It also recognizes the community that makes the work possible.

After more than 30 years in Guymon and more than 40 years serving northwestern Oklahoma, NWDCS remains committed to a simple principle: when someone in our community needs help, they should have somewhere they can turn.

Sometimes that means providing shelter. Sometimes it means advocacy, transportation, clothing, housing assistance, or safety planning.

And sometimes it simply means being there to answer the phone.