Alternative Horizons

How Alternative Horizons began:

Alternative Horizons (AH) was established in 1978 with the purpose of providing support to survivors of domestic violence in rural La Plata and San Juan Counties. AH was founded by a group of women who believed that no one ever has a right to abuse or control another human being. These women, many of whom were survivors of domestic violence themselves, were committed to ensuring that survivors could find safe, confidential help, information, and support.

Alternative Horizons’ founders collected donations to set up a telephone hotline and volunteered to respond to calls 24 hours a day. They organized a volunteer Board of Directors and established AH as a nonprofit organization. At that time, domestic violence was regarded as a “private family matter” that belonged behind closed doors. They educated the community that domestic violence is instead a larger societal problem causing enormous damage to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. These steadfast women began a service that has benefited thousands of survivors for over forty years.

Where are we today?

Today, AH is the primary nongovernmental provider of nonresidential services for survivors of domestic violence in La Plata and San Juan Counties, providing help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Services have expanded to meet the ever-increasing needs of individuals and families who are not safe within their own homes and relationships. In 1993, criminal-court advocacy services were added to assist survivors in navigating the legal system following the arrest of their perpetrator. AH educates the community about the dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking and connects survivors to resources and safety.

All of AH’s services are free, confidential, trauma-informed, voluntary, open and inclusive to survivors of domestic abuse and violence. AH was recognized as the 2014 Nonprofit Of the Year by the Durango Chamber of Commerce.

Our 2023 work:

Thanks to our diligent volunteer advocates and office staff we continue to provide survivors with the opportunity to take back control of their lives and help them advocate for themselves. At the base of everything the survivor's safety is what remains the most important component of advocacy.

 Reaching out to marginalized communities and holding space for ALL survivors of intimate partner violence is our main focus when it comes to community outreach. Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence. It does not matter how much money you have, what kind of car you drive, what your ethnicity is, or if you are LGBTQIA+. Intimate partner violence can happen to anyone. In fact BIPOC women and Black Trans women are at the highest rate of becoming victims of violent crime. 

We remain dedicated to survivors of intimate partner violence and to let everyone know YOU ARE SAFE HERE.

Thank you,

Alternative Horizons