We Are

Laura’s House

Our inception was inspired by a true story about a woman called Laura who was a victim of domestic violence.

Unfortunately, the end of her particular story is a very tragic one… her life was cut short with her untimely death at age 38. In 1991, a few local women formed the South Orange County Domestic Violence Action Committee with the dream of building a shelter for battered women in South County. After being contacted by Laura’s mother and hearing that Laura had nowhere to turn to for resources to help her, the women were committed to making their dreams become a reality. In 1994, local residents, including co-founders, Sandy Condello and Helen Kendall, called a town meeting and asked for the community to embrace their vision of Laura’s House. There was an overwhelming response from the community with support and funding. It was then decided that the agency would be named in memory of Laura.

Laura’s House provides shelter and supportive services to women, men and children. Counseling, life skills, education, legal advocacy and resources are also provided. Laura’s House operates on the philosophy that domestic violence is a multi-dimensional and often cyclical in nature, and must be addressed through a range of interventions. Our goal is to provide supportive services that will prepare our clients and their children to live independent and violence-free lives with an emphasis on education and prevention for future generations.

Today Laura’s House continues to be the only state-approved comprehensive domestic violence agency in South Orange County. Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services, transitional housing, counseling and workshops, and legal services to thousands of individuals. Over 3000 crisis calls come in each year on our 24/7 Crisis Hotline.

Our Mission

Changing social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.

Our Vision

We serve individuals, families, and others who are affected by domestic violence. Laura’s House strives to be a nationally recognized and leading authority for resources and education for the prevention and response to domestic violence issues.

 

Our Values

Client/Mission Focused
We live it by continually assessing the client’s needs and formulating programs and services to empower them for success.

Communication
We live it by building open and honest interactions based on trust and respect to foster understanding and a healthy environment.

Respect
We live it by understanding that it takes people with different ideas, strengths, interests and diverse backgrounds to create a unified and inclusive culture. We encourage healthy discussion and differences of opinion.

Compassion
We live it by having the vision to see and encourage others in an understanding and empathetic manner.

Collaboration
We live it by working together to achieve a common goal while utilizing the collective strength from all stakeholders.

Innovation
We live it by striving to redefine the standard of excellence in everything we do. We are open to ideas that challenge the conventional view and create the opportunity for change.

Power of Our Work in 2023

THE NEED IS REAL…

 

Survivors Served: 5,059

 

Prevention/Education Reach: 27,037

 

Hotline Callers Assisted: 4,488

Since 1994, Laura’s House has continued to grow

& provide vital support

Laura’s House
History

Meet Our

Board & Leadership

Top Individual and Foundation Donors

A Little Help Foundation • A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation • A. Setya Dental Group • Alpha Chi Omega • Argyros Family Foundation • Bagne Family Foundation • Borchardt Giving fund • CA Foundation for Stronger Communities • Carl E. Wynn Foundation • Crean Foundation • Crevier Family Foundation of OCCF • Day Family Foundation Trust • Devto Support Foundation • Dhont Family Foundation • F. Comerford • G. & D. Stillwell Charitable Trust • G. & J. Anderson Family • G. Hoag Family Foundation • Glass Family • Green Foundation • Hermann Foundation • I-Rise Foundation • J. MacPherson Foundation • J. Murray • Jerome Foundation •K Inman • K. Lester •L Lafreniere • L. Khouri & M. Hayde • M. & E. Barcelo • M. Hoeffliger • M. Oser Fund • McDonald Family Foundation • Movement Church • N. & G. Stack • Norman & Sadie Lee Foundation • OC Bar Association • OCUW — Womens Philanthropic Fund • S Martin • Sharon Mae Fund of OCCF • Shelly Family Foundation • Smiles for Life Foundation — Hales Parker Dentistry • Sue J. Gross Foundation • Swayne Family Foundation • T. Savage • The Sunshine Fund • Ueberroth Family Foundation • Visionary Women • Womens Foundation of California • Zeller Family • Zonta Club of Newport Harbor

Top Corporate Donors

Allstate • Applied Medical • Bob’s Discount Furniture • Capital Group • CC Calhoun Inc. • Chapman University • Citibank • Creative Package McKahan Inc. • Dermody Properties Foundation • Dito Devcar Foundation • Edwards Lifesciences • Farmers & Merchants Bank • Fluidmaster • Impac Foundation • In-N-Out Foundation • KFC Foundation • Laloo Vision Inc. • Morgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation • Ms. Molly Foundation • National Colloid • Newport Dunes • Nossaman LLP • O.L. Halsell Foundation • Pacific Life Foundation • Performance Cleanroom Services, Inc. • R.D. Olson Development • Rainbow Sandals • RiteAid • Robert Half • Smart & Final • Starbucks • Stater Brothers • The Rosendin Foundation • The TJX Foundation • US Bank

Our Financials

Thanks to the continued support of our generous individual, foundation, and corporate donors, we were able to spend almost $5m (82% of revenue) on direct program services to benefit our clients by providing shelter, counseling, and legal support services.

  • 24-Hour Hotline and Crisis Intervention: Immediate safety for families in crisis.
  • Emergency Shelter: 45 days of safe housing for abused men, women, and children.
  • Transitional Housing: Six to twelve months of support following emergency shelter to help residents achieve independence.
  • Therapeutic Counseling: Individual, group, and family therapy to promote healing and strengthen coping skills.
  • Life Skills and Parenting Education: Training to empower clients to live free from dependence on abusers and other unhealthy relationships.
  • Legal Advocacy Services: Assistance with restraining orders, custody orders, court accompaniment, and attorney referrals.
  • Intensive Case Management: One-to-one support to help clients set and achieve goals, as well as access education, employment, and medical care.
  • On-Site Childcare and Educational Activities: Loving supervision for children, supporting healthy childhood development and family relationships.
  • Housing Assistance: Resources to help clients find safe, affordable permanent housing.
  • Prevention and Education Outreach: Programs targeting youth and adults, including teen dating violence prevention (H.E.A.R.T.), character development for young men (Man.Kind OC), and various educational workshops and webinars.

Annually, we undergo a financial audit by an independent audit firm.
Singer Lewak LLP, Accountants and Consultants