Like many in our community, we were horrified when we learned of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Our thoughts were with the victims of this act of terror, along with all members of the Jewish community, both here in Western Pennsylvania and across the country. When the opportunity arose for us to participate in a vigil for the victims organized by the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition and Voice of Westmoreland, we were grateful for the chance

Community is at the heart of Blackburn Center’s mission: providing services to victims of violence in Westmoreland County, and offering training and education as a way to prevent violence. This Saturday, members of our community are supporting Blackburn Center through an evening of music and art with She Sings. Founded by Lauren Condon of The Heavenly Biscuits, She Sings will feature a variety of local musicians. The lineup will include The Heavenly Biscuits (Lauren Condon a

At Blackburn Center, we have been providing services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in Westmoreland County since 1976. Over the past 40 years, our mission has primarily stayed the same – but our focus has evolved. In 2002, we recommitted to the part of our mission dedicated to actively working to end gender violence in our community. Our commitment to social transformation can be seen in our innovative partnerships with local universities, our Coaching Boys int

It’s that time of year again! Time to dust off your favorite high heels (or sneakers! Or roller skates!), get out your markers and poster board, and walk a mile in her shoes! Our 2016 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event will take place on April 16, 2016 at St. Clair Park in Greensburg — register here! Since 2010, Blackburn Center has hosted its signature event, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®. This walk is Westmoreland County’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and all forms of gende

If you follow our page, you are likely aware that Blackburn Center provides a number of services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, from our emergency shelter to medical and legal accompaniment to a variety of individual and group counseling options. What you may not realize, however, is just how many services our organization provides to our community. Today, we are highlighting one of these services: education and training programs. Throughout Westmoreland County

The numbers are in....2015 was our biggest walk yet! We had 1,100 walkers at our 5th annual Walk a Mile In Her Shoes! Absolutely incredible! We are so grateful for such amazing community support -- thank you all! If you'd like to see pictures of our walk -- including team pictures, check out our Facebook page for all of the pictures taken by Skysight Photography. Feel free to tag yourself and others in the pictures -- and please share these great shots of our event! Here is

Many people are afraid of the dark. We’ve all witnessed the fact that bad things happen when it’s dark outside. Some of us have security lights on the outside of our homes because we believe that light chases away bad people, and that light protects us from things that will hurt us. I’m sure that we’ve all witnessed “dark moments” in our lives when our spirits are low and when we’ve become discouraged. We can be left with a sense of darkness in our lives when bad things happe

If you turn on the radio or TV this week, you’re bound to hear that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” For many in our community, this is a time of celebration and gratitude. With parties and cookies, candles and trees, the holiday season is full of cheer, and a perfect time to give back to your community – especially to support those who may not have the opportunity for celebration and cheer. Blackburn Center provides emergency shelter services for victims of dome

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, one word is at the forefront of our minds at Blackburn Center: thankful. Our mission is challenging, and requires an enormous amount of work and dedication. We provide services to thousands of people each year, in the form of victim services and community education and training. Beyond this immediate work, we are striving to address the root causes of gender violence so that we can one day stop the cycle of violence that plagues our