WHO WE ARE

At Option House, we work with survivors to restore a sense of safety to their lives offering survivors and their families a safe, temporary place to call home in its emergency shelter. Survivors and their families work with experienced advocates to receive vital services to get them back on their feet. Through advocacy, education, and sheltering, Option House promotes change for people and their families affected by interpersonal violence to live a life free from abuse.

Mission

Option House provides a 24-hour crisis intervention shelter, transitional housing, outreach and legal services, information, education and awareness to family violence victims to STOP the Cycle of Abuse.

Core Values

Option House is focused on health, safety, domestic violence survivor rights, and to promote the education of the community by providing:

  • 24-hour emergency crisis intervention, temporary emergency shelter, food, clothing and support services to survivors of family violence.

  • Transitional housing to promote an independent and productive lifestyle to survivors of domestic and family violence.

  • Community awareness for the prevalent incidents of family violence through education and training programs.


Statement of Purpose

This organization is focused on promoting the health, safety, rights to the victims of family violence, and to promote the education of the community by:

  • Providing 24-hour emergency crisis intervention, temporary emergency shelter, food, clothing and support services to victims of family violence.

  • Providing transitional housing to promote an independent and productive lifestyle to victims of domestic violence and their children.

  • Providing community awareness to the prevalent incidents of family violence through education and training programs.


How We Started

Our organization was the initial provider of domestic violence services in San Bernardino County. Option House came from a broad base of services under the Coalition for Prevention of Abuse of Women and Children.

Operating under the Central Valley Mental Health Association, the original shelter opened September 1977 in Colton, CA.

In 1980, the Coalition for the Prevention of Abuse of Women and Children was the umbrella agency. And, finally, in 1982, Option House Incorporated. In June 1983, Option House moved to its current site, a 5000 square foot building (original temporary crisis intervention shelter program). It was the first building built specifically to house battered women and their children in the state, the second in the nation!