History

The Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance (IVSHA) has evolved from a modest outreach effort into a cornerstone of support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Cave Junction, Oregon. From 1976 to 1998, services were provided by WCST just twice a month at the Family Coalition. In 1998, a VOCA Pilot Project placed an advocate weekly at the local DHS office, and by 1999, survivors voiced the need for a dedicated shelter in the Illinois Valley. This led to the formation of an advisory council in 2000, which became a board of directors, securing $40,243 in startup funds. The following year, IVSHA hired its first coordinator and executive director, applied for nonprofit status, and conducted a needs assessment revealing that 942 women had experienced abuse. The first advocate was hired in 2002, and by 2003, a second advocate joined.

Over the next decade, IVSHA expanded its services and community presence. It launched a self-sufficiency program, hired a children’s advocate, and began outreach in schools. Grants supported growth, including a Rural DV grant in 2006 and the purchase of the Home Valley Bank building in 2007. Initiatives like Soup for the Souls, Women of Worth groups, and the DSV Leadership Summit helped raise awareness. The community garden began in 2010, but financial challenges in 2012 led to staff layoffs. Recovery followed with renewed grants, facility moves, and new partnerships. Leadership transitions occurred in 2016 and 2018, with the founding director retiring and a new executive director stepping in. IVSHA continued innovating with telephone hearings, a 24/7 crisis line, and ADA-compliant upgrades. After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alliance restored its annual fundraising event in 2023, marking an important step in rebuilding community support. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Alliance secured nearly $1 million in rural funding by 2021. The Alliance continued to secure funding from the OVW Rural program of $750,000 in 2025 and was awarded our first Transitional housing grant for $500,000 in the same year. In 2025, the Alliance entered a new chapter with the appointment of a new director. Under this leadership, the Alliance has renewed its commitment to community engagement, strengthening its presence locally and re-establishing partnerships with area schools. Through decades of resilience, IVSHA has remained a vital lifeline for the Illinois Valley, thanks to the unwavering support of its community.