Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments

ALIVE (Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments) was founded in 1983 through the shared vision of two women with graduate degrees from Washington University who worked as advocates for abused women. Aware of the critical need for safe shelter for women and children victimized by domestic violence in St. Louis, they decided to fill the existing void in services. The organization was incorporated in 1985 and over the years has expanded into a full-service domestic violence prevention agency. Our Nights of Safety program remains true to our founders' original vision of providing emergency sanctuary when all domestic violence shelter beds are full. ALIVE's additional services include:

a 24-hour crisis line.
emergency transportation.
individual and group adult counseling.
a children's treatment program.
court advocacy.
community education and outreach.

ALIVE's staff has grown to a team of nearly 40 professionals staffing our two offices, one in the St. Louis area and the other in Franklin County. The operational volunteer corps that started with eight women now numbers over 100 strong.