About Downtown Women's Center

If we start with unconditional love and build on it with solid core values, we end up with hope – not only for clients but for our ourselves.

History:

Sister Mary Virginia Clark began DWC with Abba House in 1989. Her heart was for the homeless men, women, and children she saw on the streets of Amarillo. It wasn’t long before her work evolved into caring for homeless women with addictions and their children.

In 2001, Sister Mary Virginia resigned and Diann Gilmore became Executive Director. As a license social worker, Mrs. Gilmore was well acquainted with the work of DWC. Under her excellent leadership, DWC has blossomed.

DWC was given full ownership of Haven House in 2007, allowing us to more than double the number of homeless women in recovery that we can serve at one time.

The first retail store, Thrift City, was opened in 2003. The second store, Thrift City 2, opened in 2006. The Uptown Shoppe, an upscale resale store, opened in 2008. Thrift City 3 opened in May, 2010.

In 2009, DWC assumed management of Meridian Apartments providing quality affordable housing for low-income individuals.

Board of Directors:

Ann Albracht, Ladies' Auxiliary;
Mary Schhler, Board of Directors;
Diann Gilmore, Executive Director

  • Dennis Falk, President
  • Bill Chudej, Treasurer
  • Deacon Floyd Ashley
  • Charlie Hennessey, DDS
  • Mike Koehler
  • Mary Schooler
  • Yvette Wiggins
  • Eulis Nelson, Vice-President
  • Lance Garcia, Secretary
  • Mrs. Pat Bruce
  • Lindberg Hezekiah
  • Sam Spradlin
  • Velrick Wilson
  • Chris Wramplemeier

 

Executive Staff:

  • Diann Gilmore, LMSW-AP, Executive Director
  • Jack Hilton, Business Manager
  • Ann Sanders, LCDC, Program Director
  • Rick Phillips, Director of Facilities and Human Resources
  • Karen Phillips, Director of Development
  • Irene Arnold, Retail Stores District Manager

Ladie's Auxiliary

  • Ann Albracht
  • Janice Culver
  • Devany Ellis
  • Oralila Garcia
  • Melissa Hill
  • Sharon Koheler
  • Jackie Marr
  • Anita Ray
  • Helen Sage
  • Donna Soria
  • Carol Tiernan
  • Dawn Wells
  • Cindy Barnes
  • Becky Davis
  • Sue Erwin
  • Joan Graham
  • Anita Hinton
  • Joy Lane
  • Viginia Maynard
  • Jane Roberts
  • Mary Schooler
  • Cecilia Tenorio
  • Nancy Turner
  • JoMarie Brown
  • Sue Diller
  • Celine Freeman
  • Julie Gaut
  • Peaches Homen
  • Marty Marmaduke
  • Meshell Moore
  • Carmen Roper
  • Joan Shelton
  • Chrisy Thomason
  • Lynette Villa
  • Louise Conley
  • Suzanne East
  • Jennifer Gallardo
  • Amy Henderson
  • Patsy Kiser
  • Wendy Marsh
  • Tisha Peterson
  • Rosemary Robinson
  • Barbara Simms
  • Kimber Thompson
  • Patricia Ward