Our Story

How it 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.