Welcome to Living Within Women Services
Stop being silent. Get help today
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Your donation can save a life
One step at a time, one donation at a time.
Donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. Donations to the organization go towards workshops and other events and programs that benefit each one of our women and children.
About our founder
Giovana Rankin
I was born in Panama, Colon on March 2, 1975, to Eduardo Delano Rankin and Betty Ann Tomlinson Rankin. My mother wanted a better life for us so she fixed our paper and bought us to Brooklyn, East New York Pink Houses in 1980.
Later on my mom moved to Crown Heights on Sterling Place. As a child, I always had a passion for debating and being compassionate. In 1988 I graduated out of I.S 210 and went to Boys and girls H.S for business administration.
In 1993 I became pregnant, at that time teen mothers weren't allowed to continue in a regular High School setting so I was sent to an alternative school in East New York. I never went back to my original school because they would not allow me to return after my pregnancy. That experience was tragic to me due to the fact I couldn't continue with my education.
In the process of applying for Public Aid, I was introduced to a nonprofit that fights for family rights called FUREE (Families United for Racial & Economic Equality). Through this nonprofit, I and seven other women were awarded women of the year in Washington D.C by Bill De Blasio and Danny Glover.
Being a single mom of 3 children affords me to understand the plight that women have to take care of themselves and their children in all aspects. I have been in a domestic violence relationship so I understand how it feels to be helpless, scared, and taken advantage of.
Since the pandemic, I have seen a lot of children and mothers dislocated from their homes. The pandemic has affected people mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically. Opening up the shelter can help women and children that were impacted by the pandemic. My passion to assist others keeps me active in my community. These experiences will aid in bringing forth the purpose of Living Within Women Services.
Our staff & volunteers
Our volunteers serve as a help to women and girls (youth). They support our mission by empowering, encouraging, and uplifting our clients.
Our history
Helping women and girls (youth) that were victims of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse; through journalizing, mentorship, counseling, and workshops. Our goal is for women and girls (youth) to come to terms with their past abuse and move forward to a life of redemption.
Our mission
LIVING WITHIN WOMEN SERVICES (LWWS) is a nonprofit organization that is set out to empower, strengthen, and uplift those that have suffered from abuse by providing a safe and controlled atmosphere for women and children transitioning through difficult hardship.