Mission Statement
Our mission is to reduce the incidence of intimate partner violence through crisis intervention, community education and the promotion of healthy relationships.
Agency Values
Our Commitment to Cultural Responsiveness and Equity
Catalyst acknowledges the history of survivors outside of their experiences of domestic violence. We recognize trauma may be compounded by oppression including racism, police brutality, colonialism, and xenophobia. To achieve equity as an organization, we commit to having consistent, ongoing conversations that center the voices of people of color and other marginalized communities. We recognize the immediacy of addressing the ways we replicate power dynamics of oppression in our interactions with each other as we do this work. We commit to being humble and responsive when called on to recognize our gaps in knowledge and interrupt our contributions to white supremacy within our agency and in our community.
History
Supporting Survivors Since 1977
In the mid-1970s, the problem of domestic violence was brought to the attention of the community of Butte County by a group of local therapists. These therapists worked with victims of domestic violence in their private practices and provided emergency shelter for them and their children in their own homes. But as the need for shelter steadily increased, they could no longer accommodate all who needed their assistance. In the fall of 1977, through the dedicated efforts of its founders, Catalyst was incorporated.
The growing demand for shelter was met through the use of “safe houses” – families who were approved through a screening process to provide a room in their own homes for women and their children fleeing from violent homes. In 1984, Catalyst became a United Way Member Agency and in 1985, with the assistance of the United Way and City of Chico, opened HAVEN, a 12 bed confidential shelter.
In 1990, the shelter was expanded to 17 beds, and in the spring of 1997, Catalyst further expanded HAVEN to include office space for shelter staff. Catalyst maintained this facility until 2010 when we opened our new safe housing facilities. These facilities include HAVEN, a 28-bed temporary residence for victims of domestic violence and their children who are at immediate risk, and four Cottages, transitional housing units for single families to reside for up to 18 months. In 2015, Catalyst increased the number of beds available to 32 in order to accommodate survivors of all genders and their children.
Today, Catalyst is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation administered by a board of directors. Catalyst continues to be the sole certified provider of crisis intervention services for victims of domestic violence and their children in Butte County.