FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Commitment to Supporting Survivors Remains Strong

Lake County, Colo., Sept. 23, 2025 – The Advocates of Lake County (ALC) today announced the sale of its survivor safehouse, which has provided confidential shelter for victims of violence since 2013. While this was a difficult decision, it was unanimously approved by ALC’s Board of Directors.

“The closure of the safehouse marks the end of a chapter, but it does not signal a reduction in services,” said ALC Board Chair Hannah Guilford. “Our organization is actively evolving to ensure we continue to provide safe, confidential and trauma-informed support to survivors—through temporary and transitional housing partnerships, legal and community advocacy and other critical and lifesaving services.”

The decision to sell the safehouse was prompted by significant reductions in federal funding for human services and specifically victims’ services, which disproportionately affect rural organizations like ALC. Because future funding is uncertain for victims’ advocacy work, not to mention the many safety-net services provided by other nonprofits and agencies in Lake County, ALC is doing everything possible to pivot, think creatively and ensure client services can continue uninterrupted.

“There are a lot of organizations in this community affected by federal funding cuts and the city and county are going to have a lot of gaps to fill in human services,” said Operations Director & Co–Executive Director Kristen King. “ALC is very fortunate that we have an asset we can use to help secure our financial future and ongoing operation. Most of our local agencies don’t have that option, so we feel that ALC has an ethical obligation to sell the safehouse—not just in support of our ability to maintain critical client services, but also to honor our community partners who will need local funding support and have limited other options.”

As they move into a new phase, ALC is prioritizing community-based and donor-driven support to strengthen its future. “This transition allows us to deepen our roots in Lake County and expand the ways we walk alongside survivors,” said Val D’Angiolini Landis, ALC’s Advancement & Impact Director and Co–Executive Director.

Founded in 1983, ALC has been a cornerstone of support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of abuse in Lake County. For three decades, the organization served survivors without a dedicated shelter; following the sale of the safehouse, ALC will continue its work using flexible, survivor-centered housing models such as hotel stays, short-term rentals and partnerships with transitional housing providers.

The decision to sell the safehouse also aligns with advocacy organizations in surrounding counties and nationally, many of which do not have a dedicated safehouse. Instead, agencies rely on flexible housing solutions—such as hotel stays, short-term rentals and partnerships with transitional housing providers—to meet survivors where they are and offer more individualized support.

According to Tim Best, Client Services Director & Co–Executive Director, “By adapting our model, ALC not only continues to support survivors, but also strengthens collaboration across county lines. It’s important that we continue to be a vital and sustainable resource within Lake County and throughout the regional network of survivor services, particularly as conditions in our community and region make our support more necessary than ever.”

ALC’s 24/7 crisis hotline will remain active, free and confidential. This lifeline connects survivors to immediate help, safety planning and access to resources. For individuals seeking support, call 719-486-3530 and press Option 1 for the crisis hotline. Trained advocates are available around the clock.

For questions about donations, volunteer opportunities to help with ALC’s move out of the safehouse and any other matters, call 719-486-3530 and press Option 3 for our administrative office.

Please direct real estate inquiries to ALC’s Realtor, Amy Tait of Centennial Real Estate, at 719-486-1409 or leadvillere@gmail.com. Due to the unique nature of this listing, Centennial is collecting a list of parties who are interested in the property information. When the listing goes live, the information will be sent out at the same time. Interested parties can reach out directly for more information or, if they have a current agency relationship with an agent, have their agent contact Centennial for more information. Requesting the information does not create an agency relationship with Amy Tait or Centennial Real Estate and is not meant to solicit buyers already in an agency relationship.

As ALC navigates this change, it is also a reminder that housing is just one part of a broader network of support that survivors need. The Advocates of Lake County remains deeply rooted in the community and committed to creating pathways to safety, justice and healing. Together, ALC and Lake County will continue the vital work of building a community free from violence.

Contact:
Valerie D’Angiolini Landis, Advancement & Impact Director
Advocates of Lake County
exec@advocatesoflakecounty.org
www.advocatesoflakecounty.org