Haven House was founded in 1964 by a local AlAnon group to shelter families of violent alcoholics, making it the oldest shelter in the country. Through 1972, the program was supported solely by private donations and staffed with volunteers, serving over 600 families. In 1974, the shelter began to receive some government support, maintain a paid staff of paraprofessional counselors, and operate from its current location. Since then, Haven House pioneered the first counseling programs for adults and children in shelters, first shelter follow-up program, first police training by a shelter; and has been active in advising newer shelters and other domestic violence programs nationally. The Mission of Haven House is to help battered women and their children on their way towards a life free of violence by providing a safe haven for them. This includes counseling services for women and children in residence; follow-up support services for former residents, and counseling for community clients who are not residents of the shelter. Haven House also strives to educate the public about domestic violence and advocate for the needs of battered women with makers of public policy. Haven House proposes to utilize funds for continuing to operate the shelter and provide our services to battered women and their children.