This year, PREVAIL celebrates a momentous milestone: five decades of providing hope, healing, and essential crisis services to the communities of San Joaquin County. Our journey from a passionate, grassroots movement to the region’s primary crisis services provider is a testament to the enduring power of community, vision, and limitless determination.
A Single Garage Sale and Limitless Determination (1976)
Our story begins in 1976. In an era where safe, confidential spaces for women in crisis were scarce, eight visionary women in Stockton decided to create one themselves. They pooled their determination and raised their first funds the most grassroots way possible: a simple garage sale. With those funds, they established the Women's Center of Stockton—a safe haven housed within the First Congregational Church. It was an all-volunteer operation driven by a singular, powerful mission: to help women and children find safety and break free from cycles of violence. This founding moment established a core truth that still guides us today:
The Evolution of Crisis Care: From Stockton to San Joaquin County
The need for these services quickly outgrew the city limits.
- 1979: The organization expanded its services countywide and was renamed the Women's Center of San Joaquin County.
- 1982: A critical milestone was reached with the opening of our first domestic violence shelter, DAWN House, providing the first secure, physical sanctuary for individuals escaping violence.
Our capacity for compassion grew to encompass more of the community's vulnerable. Through the integration with Family and Youth Services (FAYS)—an organization with roots dating back to 1969—our mission expanded beyond Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to include services for youth experiencing homelessness. This dedication to reaching every corner of the county was formalized in 2004 with the launch of our location in Tracy, significantly expanding access to crucial services for communities across the entire county.
Today: Breaking Cycles of Violence and Building Brighter Futures
Today, PREVAIL stands as a professional, multi-faceted agency with clinical staff and multiple shelters across San Joaquin County. The scope of our work reflects the complex needs of the individuals we serve:
- Comprehensive Services: We provide support across the spectrum of crisis, including Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, Youth Homelessness, Clinical Therapy, Substance Use Support, and Restorative Justice programs.
- Widespread Impact: Annually, we provide shelter to almost 600 individuals fleeing violence and crisis, and serve more than 6,000 individuals throughout San Joaquin County.
The Power of PREVAIL
In 2023, we embraced a new name to reflect our expanded scope and enduring mission: PREVAIL. The name is more than a rebrand; it is a commitment: Pioneering Restoration and Elevating Voices of Advocacy, Idealism, and Leadership. Our founders' garage-sale-fueled vision has successfully evolved into the region's leading crisis provider. Yet, our core mission remains steadfast: providing hope, fostering healing, and fundamentally breaking intergenerational cycles of violence and trauma.
Key Takeaways from Five Decades of Service
- Grassroots Genesis: PREVAIL began in 1976 as the Women's Center of Stockton—eight founders, one garage sale, and limitless determination to help women and children in crisis.
- Decades of Evolution: We transformed from an all-volunteer operation into a professional agency with clinical staff, multiple shelters, and comprehensive wraparound services.
- Expanded Scope: The integration of youth homelessness services (FAYS roots to 1969) broadened our mission beyond DV/SA to include vulnerable youth ages 12-25.
- A New Chapter: The 2023 rebrand to PREVAIL reflects our comprehensive scope and dedication to Pioneering Restoration and Elevating Voices.
Join Us for the Next Chapter!
Our 50th-anniversary year will culminate in a spectacular Gala in October/November, where we will celebrate five decades of community impact across San Joaquin County and officially launch the next chapter of PREVAIL.
Stay tuned for details on how you can join us in celebrating the extraordinary journey from a single garage sale to a true game-changer in crisis services.