Verde Valley Sanctuary

Our mission is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

The Verde Valley Sanctuary began in 1993 as a grassroots organization of women who were concerned about domestic violence in our community. The original group of volunteers began taking crisis calls in their homes and transporting victims of abuse to the nearest shelters 50-plus miles away in Flagstaff, Prescott, and Phoenix. Thanks to generous donations from the community we were able to open our first shelter in 1994 in a leased modular home that slept six.

Since then the Verde Valley Sanctuary has strategically expanded and now takes a trauma-informed approach to tackle the issues associated with domestic and sexual violence including a 32-bed shelter, 24-hour crisis hotline, lay legal advocate support, transitional housing complex, and community education and prevention programs. We serve women, children, men and the LGBTQ+ community in the Verde Valley, from across the state of Arizona, and from coast-to-coast fleeing their perpetrators.

Free Services

• Pet-Friendly Emergency Shelter 24/7/365
• Transitional Housing w/Match Savings Program
• Lay Legal Advocacy Center
• Community Based Advocacy
• Youth Violence Prevention Education
• Crisis Hotline 24/7/365 (928) 634-2511
• Public Outreach and Awareness

The Verde Valley Sanctuary also operates two boutique style thrift stores in Sedona and Camp Verde. These stores generate approximately 20% of our annual operating income and also serve as a resource center for clothing and housewares for our clients. As state funding decreases, the thrift stores and donations from private individuals are becoming more and more important.

We are celebrating 31 years of service this year! Community support is critical to our success. Become a part of our future and help break the cycle of abuse by supporting the Verde Valley Sanctuary.

Testimonials

Amanda’s Story: A Lifesaving Sanctuary 

“Hi, my name is Amanda and my journey with Verde Valley Sanctuary started in February 2024 and ended June 27, 2024. There are moments in life when darkness seems overwhelming, and the light at the end of the tunnel feels impossible to reach. For me, that light was Verde Valley Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter that became my sanctuary when I needed it most. If it weren’t for this incredible place, I would still be trapped in an abusive relationship, unable to see my worth or imagine a future free from fear. When I first arrived at shelter, I was broken lost, and unsure of what to do next. The staff welcomed me with open arms, showing me a level of love and compassion that I hadn’t experienced in years. They didn’t just offer me a safe place to stay, they offered me hope, guidance, and a second chance at life.” 

 “Through their unwavering support, I began to believe in myself again. With their encouragement, I was able to earn my high school diploma – a dream I thought was out of reach – and now, I’m on my way to college. They fed me when I didn’t have the means, clothed me when I had nothing, and helped me see the beauty in myself that had been buried under years of pain and self-doubt. And it wasn’t just me who experienced this transformation. I saw the countless other women come through the doors of Verde Valley Sanctuary, each one shown the same love, care and respect that I received. Even my dog, who had been a source of comfort during my darkest days, was welcomed and cared for as if she were family.” 

 “The Verde Valley Sanctuary is more than just a shelter, it is a lifeline, a beacon of hope for people who have nowhere else to turn. The staff here saved my life, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to rebuild my future. I don’t know where I would be today if there had never been an opening for me at the Sanctuary. All I know is that I am here, thriving, and filled with hope for the future thanks to the love and support I received in my darkest moments. Thank you, Verde Valley Sanctuary for everything!” 

[This story is true in events and spirit, however identifying markers have been changed to protect the client.]