A Tysons-based mental health nonprofit recognized two milestones with one celebration earlier this week.
The Women’s Center held a ribbon-cutting and open house event on Tuesday (Sept. 10) to mark 50 years of serving in the D.C. area and formally unveil its new office at Courthouse Center (8230 Old Courthouse Road) in Tysons.
Since it was founded in 1974, The Women’s Center has provided counseling, mediation and other support services to more than 100,000 people, executive director and CEO Rachna Krishnan told elected officials, donors and other event attendees.
“These and many more people have become part of the fabric and history of The Women’s Center,” she said in a press release. “Our legacy is one of resilience, hope, and transformation. As we embark on this new chapter, we remain committed to continuing that journey.”
Though the move was in the works for months, The Women’s Center staff officially relocated in June from the nonprofit’s original headquarters at the Vienna Courts office condominiums, which were demolished to make way for residential condos now under construction.
Boasting approximately 6,000 square feet of space, the new office is similar in size to the old one, but it was intentionally designed to ensure “a safe and supportive environment for clients” with individual, group and play therapy rooms, according to the press release.
“The new office has a trauma-informed environment,” Nissi Thapa, a spokesperson for The Women’s Center, told FFXnow. “It’s much more warm, welcoming, modern, and accessible. Additionally, we’re in a better location, with closer proximity to Metro and bus lines.”
Now that it has settled into the new space, the nonprofit hopes to expand its reach, particularly to seniors, teens and low-income families in regions of Virginia with a shortage of behavioral health professionals.
While The Women’s Center only has two physical offices, including one in D.C., it can serve a wider geographic area thanks to the introduction of telehealth options during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led more insurance companies to cover those services. Many clients now prefer telehealth, Thapa says.
The Women’s Center’s mission includes a commitment to assist clients regardless of their ability to pay. In 2023, about 66% of the 3,576 people it served got help for no cost or a reduced fee, according to its annual report.
After adopting a new logo earlier this year, the organization will continue celebrating its 50th anniversary with a fundraiser gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons on Oct. 26.
At Monday’s open house, which included tours, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik lauded The Women’s Center’s new office as “a significant milestone in their mission to expand the mental health counseling and educational services that transform lives and give hope to thousands of individuals each year.”
“The Center is a place where people feel supported, helping them build confidence, independence, and self-esteem,” Palchik said. “Congratulations to The Women’s Center on this monumental move, and best wishes for your continued success in empowering individuals and children to live their best lives.”
