About | Alternative House

ABOUT US

The mission of Alternative House is to facilitate the creation of a society in which violence and oppression will no longer exist.

As a means to this end, we offer access to shelter, support, children’s programming, legal, housing, and community advocacy for all victims of domestic violence (and their children) who seek our help.

We are committed to supporting all survivors without discrimination.

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Welcome to Alternative House. I am so grateful that you’ve taken the time to visit our website and learn more about our work. For more than four decades, Alternative House has stood as a safe haven and a source of hope for survivors of domestic violence and their families.Every day, our team is here 24/7, 365 days a year, providing emergency shelter, housing, advocacy, youth programs, and community education.

We believe in meeting survivors where they are, honoring their voices, and supporting their journey toward healing and independence.This work is only possible because of the compassion and commitment of our community. Whether you are here seeking help, exploring ways to get involved, or simply learning more, I want you to know that you are part of that community. Your support, whether through time, partnership, or resources, helps us create safety, strength, and a brighter future for so many.

As you explore these pages, I invite you to learn more about our programs, our mission, and the many ways you can join us in this important work. Together, we can build a world where every individual has the opportunity to live free from violence and fear.

Maria Crooker-Capone

Executive Director

Alternative House has provided comprehensive domestic violence services in the Greater Lowell area for over forty years. Founded in 1978, Alternative House has served thousands of survivors of domestic violence.

The agency provides not only emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis hotline services but access to temporary safe housing, transitional/ permanent housing, legal advocacy, supervised visitation services, community/ housing advocacy, support groups, youth, and teen programming, as well as daily access to case management, safety planning, and support around goal setting, financial empowerment, and job/educational placement.

Alternative House is one of three founding agencies of the Greater Lowell Evaluation and Advocacy Network (GLEAN) which is a high-risk assessment/rapid response team as well as the founder of the Lowell City Manager’s Task Force Against Domestic Violence.

The agency, formally incorporated in 1978, was founded by a group of women who took part in the “Battered Women’s Movement” of the 70’s – a movement to bring awareness, and an end, to violence against women. This group of women paved the way for the agency to, 44 years later, provide services to thousands of survivors of domestic violence.