The article reports the results of a case study of the Women's Advocacy Program, an alternative service program with a feminist focus that is structured within a host organization, the YWCA of Richmond, Virginia. This qualitative program evaluation found that women who seek domestic violence and/or sexual assault services believe that their safety and security is essential. Further, women frequently found personal strength and support through their associations with others who shared their experiences, feelings, and struggles. Alternative service programs, such as the Women's Advocacy Program, sometimes find it challenging to maintain an ideological commitment to consensual decision-making, political focus, and structural change efforts, and focus on empowerment, and self-determination while maintaining a link to the host organization.

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