Support Groups

Valley Crisis Center's Support Groups are 14-week curriculums. The subjects reviewed in the group depend on the type of group you may be attending.

24‑hr crisis line: (209) 722‑4357

Support Groups

Please call to confirm current group days and times before attending — schedules can change.

Printable flyers: all groups (English) · todos los grupos (Español) · Courageous Kids · A Step Ahead · Hope For Tomorrow · Esperanza Para El Mañana

Courageous Kids

Every Wednesday (excluding holidays) from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Held in English
Ages 5 to 12
Parent/Guardian must remain at office during group.
Arts & Crafts activities
Certificate upon completion

A Step Ahead

Every Tuesday from 3 PM to 4 PM

Held in English (One on One for Spanish)
18 & Up
By CWS Referral Only
Focus on what intimate partner violence is
Certificate upon completion

Hope For Tomorrow

Every Thursday 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Held in English
18 & Up
Open to all survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
Focuses on recovering from trauma
Certificate upon completion

Esperanza Para el Mañana

Every Wednesday 11 AM to 12 PM

Held in Spanish
18 & Up
Open to all survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
Focuses on recovering from trauma
Certificate upon completion

Support group questions

How do I join a support group?

In order to join one of our support groups, you must do an assessment. You can do that in-person or by phone.

I joined the group late, will I still get my certificate?

If you joined the support group and missed the first few weeks, no worries, once the scheduled group reaches the 14-week completion, you can continue to attend the weeks you missed to earn your certificate.

I missed a week, what happens?

If you miss a session, you may be able to schedule a make-up session, depending on the counselor's availability and the type of group. Our Kids Group does not provide make-up sessions.

If you end up missing more than three sessions, you may have to retake the group in order to get your certificate.

Why are there age requirements?

Our Kids Group is formulated for kids between 5 to 12, if your child is older, the materials could bore them or they could feel like the group is too childish. If your child is younger than 5, they may not understand the material.

For our 18 & up groups, the content of those groups touches on some very heavy themes that parents may feel is not always appropriate for minors.

Because we are a trauma informed organization, we do have a case-by-case policy. Speak to a counselor today to see if we can make an accommodation.

How to be assessed

To be assessed for support group services, you can do it two ways:

By phone — call our 24-hour crisis line at (209) 722‑4357.
In person — visit our Merced office at 812 W. 18th Street, Mon–Fri, 8:00am–5:00pm.