Mission:
To provide housing and services to overcome homelessness and addiction.
Vision:
A community where a pathway toward self-sufficiency exists for women, children, and families.
Call Us For More Information
806-372-3625
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; |
|
|
Executive Staff:
- Diann Gilmore, LMSW-AP, Executive Director
- Jack Hilton, Business Manager
- Ann Sanders, LCDC, Program Director
- Rick Phillips, Director of Operations
- Karen Phillips, Director of Development
- Irene Arnold, Retail Stores District Manager
- Michelle Burton, Bookkeeper / Human Resources
- Sallye McLaughlin, Abba House Case Manager
- Nancy Cayce, Transitional Housing Case Manager
Ladies' Auxiliary
|
|
|
|

