1978 to June, 1998:

The Shelter House operated as a program of Woodland Centers,   a non-profit mental health center serving West Central Minnesota. During this time, emergency residential accommodations for victim families and administrative offices were located in buildings that were converted from Woodland Center's detox center for Shelter House functions.

July 1998:

All Shelter House functions were moved to a small, converted private residence on 19th Avenue SW, in Willmar.

July 1, 1999:

The Shelter House became legally incorporated as an independent, non-profit, 501-C3 corporation that provides a variety of domestic violence services and safe refuge for women and children. Since then it has been governed by a Board of Directors appointed from the six primary counties served by the Shelter House.

2001:

The Shelter House Board of Directors researches the need for an alternative to LaFayette School. After concluding that there were no existing buildings in the Willmar area that could be converted to a facility that would serve its administrative and emergency shelter needs, the Board decided to launch a fund development program to finance and build a new administrative and residential facility.

2001:

The building project commences:

• Capital Campaign and Building Committees are formed.
• Fund Development Manager is hired.
• Architectural and Legal consultants are hired.
• Building site is purchased.
• Cost of new building is estimated at $1.4 million.
• A fund Development Campaign is planned.

2003:

Shelter House Administrative and Emergency shelter operations move from converted private residence to LaFayette School in Willmar. Lafayette School was designed for elementary classes. It had been unused by the Willmar School District for several years. The Shelter entered into a lease agreement with the school district to occupy most of the building. The school was not an ideal facility for a shelter, but it provided the space needed to accommodate most of the victim families who needed emergency residential services and all the administrative offices needed for a growing staff.   

November, 2001 through June, 2004

Planning and fund development activities are in full gear:

• Building plans are developed by architect and the Building Committee
• The Fund Development Committee implements the Capital Campaign for local funding from private sources.
• The Fund Development Manger and Executive Director prepare applications for grants from private foundations and government entities.

July, 2004 through October, 2004

All the work pays off:

• Capital Campaign target of $1.5 million is reached.
• Contracts are let for the building contractor.
• Construction begins.

May 15, 2005

The new building is ready for occupancy! Residents and staff move in.

July, 2005

• Advocacy services are added for sexual assault victims in Swift, McLeod and Renville counties.
• Youth programming begins.

July 2006

• Sexual Assault Services are established in Kandiyohi County .