Founded over 36 years ago, The Initiative is the only organization in Colorado that focuses our services on the intersection of cross-disability issues and abuse. Through our advocacy and outreach programs, The Initiative strives to create an abuse-free culture for all.
I feel empowered, supported and very grateful to The Initiative and especially my advocate whom has significantly in the most positive ways helped me, heard me, and truly advocated for me in a plethora of ways to whom I shall be indebted to, with utmost gratitude. She is thorough, dedicated and absolutely amazing, she has even done other professionals jobs’ that were assigned to help me, but failed. In my entire life, I have never been so honored by the outstanding deeds this one woman has done for me. She has changed my life, where all others have failed me. Survivor D
The Initiative (previously known as the Domestic Violence Initiative) Empowering victims and creating a bridge to close the gap for people with disabilities through discovery of self-resiliency by providing support and services.
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Sharon Hickman founded the Initiative in 1985. Ms. Hickman began an organization called HOW, Handicapped Organized Women, the direct service program for women with disabilities. While providing support services for women with disabilities, she found that abuse was a common and dire issue in these women's lives. Ms. Hickman found that all domestic violence services were set up for able-bodied women, and saw the systemic issues that needed to be addressed. Therefore, Domestic Violence Initiative for Women with Disabilities began in order to fill a gap in services to crime victims, and the outreach program began at this time addressing the systemic issues.
In 2016, there were two issues that were identified with the name "Domestic Violence Initiative for Women with Disabilities." Over the years, other abusive victimizations were added for eligibility of services such as sexual abuse, stalking, caregiver abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking, additionally serving other genders with disabilities. After 32 years. The organization went through a rebranding process that would accurately reflect what we do, then The Initiative was born. Domestic Violence Initiative for Women with Disabilities will stay as the legal name and we are doing business as The Initiative.
Organization name
The Initiative
other names
The Initiative, Domestic Violence Initiative for Women with Disabilities, DVI
1985
Tax id (EIN)
84-1068953
Category
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy
Address
6825 E. TenneesseeMailing
6825 E. Tenneessee, 475Denver County, CO, US