AVDA’s mission is to promote violence-free relationships and social change by offering alternative choices to end violence and domestic abuse. One of only 2 state-certified domestic violence centers in Palm Beach County, and the only one with a mission dedicated entirely to serving survivors of domestic violence, AVDA helps survivors of domestic violence achieve housing stability and live violence-free, self-sufficient lives. Survivors and their children are provided immediate housing in a safe and confidential location, food, transportation, legal advocacy, safety-planning, counseling and assistance in accessing basic needs services and benefits programs. AVDA’s nationally-recognized program, Anne’s STEPS (Support, Training & Education for Personal Success), provides an economic empowerment curriculum to help victims increase their income while working toward economic self-sufficiency in AVDA’s transitional housing program at Casa Vegso. Services, including hotline calls, outreach and community education reaches approximately 13,000 people each year.
Our programs are based on the philosophy that survivors of domestic violence should be provided with a safe haven and must be treated with dignity and their right to self-determination must be encouraged. AVDA strives to serve the special needs of all survivors, including those with complex situations.
Focusing on serving the basic needs of survivors, AVDA was one of the first agencies in the county to be accredited by Nonprofits First and consistently receives excellent monitoring reports and audits. Administrative and fundraising costs combined were 10% of total revenue, with 90% going to direct services according to AVDA’s audited financial statements for the year ending June 2013.