About Us
Helpline 1-800-924-2624
Family Advocates, Inc Mission
Family Advocates, Inc. is dedicated to the eradication of abuse. Prevention and intervention services will be provided to victims and survivors of domestic, sexual, child, and elder abuse in Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties.
Our History...
In the seventies, a group of concerned individuals began talking about a need for domestic abuse and the community’s response to individuals in need. They started the Project on Domestic Abuse for our area.
In the eighties, a 24-hour crisis line was created and with the support of grants from the City of Platteville and Community Development Block Grant, a shelter was opened. The shelter was a two-story house where women were provided a safe place to stay for up to 30 days. This shelter was first designated for only Grant County, and was later expanded to include the residents of Iowa and Lafayette Counties.
In the later part of the eighties, money from the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) helped us to expand and add a Sexual Assault Program, Children’s Services Program and hire a Volunteer Coordinator. We also relocated to a larger building with the ability to house more victims. The original building was then converted into two apartments for use as a transitional living arrangement for a family or individuals to begin a fresh start.
Through the nineties, grew a need for a Legal Advocacy Program and a Domestic Abuse On-Call Advocacy Program. Our advocates serve victims at local hospitals with law enforcement agencies to help guide them through the legal process and to support them through their healing journey.
On December 15, 2017, after 35 years of being an undisclosed location, Family Advocates, Inc. publicized the address of the shelter in Platteville. Our hope is to make it easier for victims to access services & seek safety. Residents are given an initial 45 day stay within the shelter; however, 90 days is the average stay.
In March of 2022, Governor Tony Evers announced Family Advocates had been awarded a 3.5 million dollar grant to build a much needed, new shelter through the Wisconsin Neighborhood Investment Fund with support provided by the American Rescue Plan Act. This is where our journey began.
Family Advocates forged several community partnerships in order to break ground and launch the construction of the new shelter at 305 Eastside Road in Platteville.
The new facility was completed in March of 2024. The construct of the facility grew the number of families from a 7 family facility to a 10 family facility with the capabilities to house up to 13 at full capacity.
Family Advocates, Inc. serves over 500 men, women and children annually.