Jenesse Center

Jenesse Center is the oldest domestic violence intervention program in South Los Angeles. The center was founded in 1980 by five African American women who were survivors of domestic violence, and provides victims of domestic violence with a comprehensive, centralized base of support to assist them in addressing their immediate crisis and changing the patterns of their lives.

Jenesse acknowledges that domestic violence is a family issue, that women and children are its primary clients, that culturally sensitive and culturally competent services are of utmost concern, that life skills are as important as shelter, and that efforts should be made to influence public opinion and policy against practices and procedures that perpetuate domestic violence.

The center offers drop-in services to women who might still be living with their batterer, but want a network of support. Jenesse's emergency shelter houses women who have left their batterer for up to 30 days. Other women may have a safe residency but need additional resources. Jenesse accepts women with medical or mental health conditions, physical challenges, and adolescent male children.