River House, Inc.About Us
River House, Inc. is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
River House, Inc. provides quality service to victims of domestic violence & sexual assault and the homeless in a four county area and has been doing so since 1986.
It all began in 1985, when the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board (MDVPTB) contacted the Crawford County Family Independence Agency (FIA) concerning the need for a domestic violence shelter in central northern Michigan. The Crawford County DHS, in turn, contacted Mercy Hospital inquiring whether it would take on the responsibility of being the grantee for a domestic violence shelter program in Grayling to serve Crawford, Roscommon, Ogemaw and Oscoda Counties. In January 1986, the hospital committed to the project of River House Shelter by applying for and obtaining the said MDVPTB grant. After almost 20 years of support from Mercy Hospital, River House applied for and obtained its own non-profit status in April, 2006.
River House, Inc. has earned enormous support from the community. Volunteers donate thousands of hours of service each year. Individuals, community groups, organizations, churches, and businesses donate time, money and tangible items, such as clothing, furniture and transportation to support the agency.
River House provides a number of services to the community. In addition to offering emergency shelter, the crisis line, legal and general advocacy and counseling, River House facilitates educational support groups using the Journey Beyond Abuse curriculum. At this time, we have support groups in each of the four counties.
The Sexual Violence Program provides services to individuals who have experienced sexual violence either in the distant or recent past. The Sexual Program Advocate found that there were many survivors of domestic violence who revealed that they had also been victims of sexual violence, either as part of the battering they experienced, or as part of their childhood.
 Our Youth Advocate assures children of adult victims of domestic violence receive special attention. Safety skills are taught and it is stressed that the domestic violence is not the child's fault. During adult support groups, the Youth Advocate, with the help of volunteers trained as child care aides, provide fun and education to the survivor's children. |
All services are offered free of charge with the exception of the Alternatives to Abuse Program. This program is a batterer intervention program which receives referrals from the courts. This program is offered in locations separate from any services offered to survivors, to ensure their safety. Four groups are now operating in the ATAP program using the Foundations for Violence Free Living curriculum.
River House, Inc. works in collaboration with and receives support from the Michigan Department of Human Services, Federal Office of Criminal Justice, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and the Salvation Army, to name a few. Also, the local community college, hospitals, mental health agencies, health departments, police departments and court officials work collaboratively with River House, Inc. in their mutual goal to end domestic and sexual violence and homelessness. In addition, River House, Inc. leads monthly meetings to facilitate community collaboration regarding domestic violence policies, procedures, prevention and education. All local agencies and court personnel are encouraged to attend.
River House, Inc. is a United Way Agency of Crawford, Ogemaw and Roscommon Counties.