Violence Intervention Project History (Timeline)
1989 - VIP, formerly known as Kewaunee County Domestic Abuse Services, was incorporated as a non-profit agency by a group of concerned citizens - including law enforcement and other community members - in response to the implementation of the Domestic Violence Mandatary Arrest Law. Services at the time included 24-hour HELPLINE, advocacy, and community education. Volunteers worked out of their homes to provide 24-hour advocacy and community education. At the request of law enforcement sexual assault victim services were later added.
1991 - All services were provided by volunteers until an office advocate was hired at 10 hours per week.
1992 - Three additional people were hired including Victim Advocate, Volunteer Coordinator and Office Coordinator. These positions were funded by a grant from the State of Wisconsin through the Department of Health and Family Services.
1993 - VIP helped establish a Coordinated Community Response(CCR) team. Meetings were held monthly and included the District Attorney, Probation and Parole, the AODA Coordinator, the Judge, law enforcement, Victim/Witness Coordinator, Alternative to Violence facilitators, Family Court Commissioner, and VIP staff. VIP started a Protective Behavior Program in schools.
1995- Kewaunee County Domestic Abuse Services changed the agency name to Violence Intervention Project.
1998- VIP purchased our current location on Division Street. This building space allowed for ample and appropriate work space, more private meeting space in which to provide victim advocacy and support, room for women and children’s support groups and the space for the addition of the new Transitional Living Program. VIP also started our Youth Advocacy Program.
1999- VIP moved into our Division Street location and started our Transitional Living Program.
2000- VIP obtained a Local Housing Organization grant (LHOG) to support the addition of a part-time TLP Coordinator. In January of 2000, Charlene Langenbach, an Algoma Community Resident, made an extremely generous donation that allowed VIP to pay for the building in full. In honor of this donation, in 2001, our building was named the “Langenbach House”.
2004 - VIP opened two satellite offices, one in Luxemburg and one in Kewaunee, for victims to have better access to VIP services.
2005- Safe Alternatives Visitation and Exchange Services (S.A.V.E.S.) was established. The primary goal of S.A.V.E.S. is to increase safety of individuals as they experience visitation and exchange situations therefore reducing further victimization.
2013- VIP held its first Annual Lighting Ceremony for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This event was to remember victims who lost their lives due to domestic violence in the state of Wisconsin.
2014- VIP received funds for a part-time Bilingual Sexual Assault Victim Advocate based on the increased needs of bilingual services.
2016- VIP received funds for a part-time Bilingual Domestic Violence Advocate based on the increased needs of bilingual services and a Volunteer Coordinator.
2017 - VIP held its first Annual Hands Around Community Event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. VIP and Law Enforcement began collaborating to implement the Lethality Assessment Program (L.A.P.) to improve our response to high risk victims.
