Ten Years of Hope, Healing, and Partnership: Reflecting on the Rose Andom Center's First Decade

Ten years ago, the Rose Andom Center opened its doors with a simple but ambitious vision: that survivors of domestic violence should not have to navigate one of the most difficult moments of their lives alone.

At the time, the idea was innovative for Colorado. Rather than asking survivors to travel from agency to agency, retelling their stories over and over in search of help, the Rose Andom Center would bring services together under one roof. Law enforcement, victim advocates, legal assistance, counseling, community resources, and other supports would work side-by-side, creating a coordinated response centered on the needs of survivors.

What began as a bold idea became a reality through the dedication of countless partners, advocates, community leaders, and survivors who believed that a better response was possible.

As we celebrate the Rose Andom Center’s 10th anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting not only on how far we have come, but on the enduring values that continue to guide our work.

When the Center first opened, our goal was to create a place where survivors would be met with dignity, compassion, and practical support. We envisioned a community where no survivor would have to face abuse and violence alone and where organizations would work together rather than in silos.

A decade later, that vision remains as important as ever.

Over the past ten years, tens of thousands of survivors and their children have walked through our doors or called our phones seeking safety, stability, and hope. They have arrived carrying stories of fear, resilience, uncertainty, and courage. We have witnessed remarkable strength from survivors who have rebuilt their lives, protected their children, pursued justice, and created new futures for themselves and their families.

While statistics help tell part of the story, the true impact of the Rose Andom Center is found in those individual journeys. It is found in every survivor who no longer feels alone. Every child who experiences safety. Every family that finds a path forward.

The Rose Andom Center has also grown in ways we could not have fully imagined ten years ago. We have expanded to serve survivors of sexual assault, broadened partnerships, deepened our services, launched innovative programs, and adapted to meet emerging community needs. We have strengthened our response to underserved populations, increased access to trauma-informed services, and continued to build a collaborative model that is recognized nationally.

Yet our success has never belonged to any one person or organization.

The Rose Andom Center exists because of partnership.

It exists because nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, law enforcement, foundations, businesses, volunteers, donors, and community members have chosen to work together in service of survivors. It exists because survivors themselves have shared their experiences and helped shape a more responsive and compassionate system.

As founding and current executive directors, we are connected by a shared belief that collaboration creates better outcomes for survivors. While leadership changes over time, the mission remains constant.

Today, the Rose Andom Center stands on a strong foundation built by many hands. We honor those who helped bring the vision to life, those who have sustained it over the years, and those who continue to advance the work every day.

At the same time, anniversaries are not only an opportunity to look back. They are an invitation to look forward.

Domestic violence and sexual assault continue to affect individuals and families across our community. Significant barriers remain for many survivors seeking safety, housing, legal support, healthcare, and economic stability. The need for coordinated, collaborative, survivor-centered services remains urgent.

The next decade will require continued innovation, partnership, and commitment. It will require us to listen carefully to survivors, adapt to changing needs, and remain steadfast in our belief that every person deserves safety and the opportunity to heal.

As we celebrate this milestone, we do so with immense gratitude.

Thank you to every survivor who has trusted us.

Thank you to every partner who has joined us.

Thank you to every donor, volunteer, advocate, and community member who has invested in this work.

The story of the Rose Andom Center is not simply the story of an organization. It is the story of a community coming together to say that domestic violence is not something survivors should face alone.

Ten years ago, we opened our doors with hope.

Today, that hope remains stronger than ever.

And together, we look forward to the next chapter.