In 1976, The Women's Legal Defense Fund began providing hotline support services to victims of domestic violence. In response to increasing need, My Sister's Place was founded in 1979 with 15 emergency shelter beds and the goal of empowering women to take control of their own lives. Capacity was reached instantly, and in 1981, a new shelter was purchased for a total of 22 available shelter beds. In 1989, My Sister's Place began offering transitional housing assistance to shelter residents. MSP opened a counseling facility that provides free therapeutic support to women and their children in 1998. Counseling, case management, safety materials and community education in Spanish became available in 1999 through the Latina Outreach Program. Simultaneously, MSP's Community Education program expanded to include outreach efforts to the Public Housing Domestic Violence Intervention Program, a Faith Based Initiative, and an award winning Health Care Outreach and Education Program. In 2002, MSP opened Casa Gabriela Mistral, the first and only transitional housing program for immigrant victims of domestic violence. In 2006, in collaboration with the District of Columbia Superior Court's Crime Victim Compensation Program, MSP launched the Emergency Services Center. Through this new initiative, clinical case managers and counselors have assisted over 1,115 families made homeless by violence to access the resources necessary for safety. MSP hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking in October 2008 to celebrate the expansion and renovation of the emergency shelter. Upon completion in 2009, the new facility will more than double MSP's capacity to serve families in crisis for a total of 45 emergency shelter beds.

From the moment a woman and her children arrive at our emergency shelter, compassionate and professional staff supply victims of domestic violence with the tools necessary to attain self-sufficiency. Among the highest priorities beyond safety for each shelter resident are: securing transitional or permanent housing before the end of their stay in our emergency shelter; enrolling in higher education or job training or securing stable employment; developing a personalized safety plan; and receiving counseling to enhance coping skills. As a woman moves from violence to independence, My Sister's Place lends a trained, compassionate, helping hand every step of the way.