IMPACT REPORT
2025-2026
The Advocates promotes healthy relationships by providing safety, healing and resources to people impacted by abuse.
Changing the Path Forward
Our new Thrive Center for Safety and Healing opened November 16. We are thrilled that this unlocks the doors of 20 more transitional housing apartments for a total of 38 in the heart of Hailey. What a fabulous place for the women, men and children on our waitlist, and their pets, who are moving in to gain stability and rebuild their lives.
We are also super excited that the Thrive Center greatly increases The Advocates’ visibility and strengthens the community safety net. We can help anyone meet basic needs — food, clothing, transportation — and access other resources. People impacted by abuse can receive more intensive emotional support, shelter, housing, and comprehensive case management to explore all areas of their lives and develop a plan for their future.
The other great news is that the opening of the Thrive Center also enables our early learning center, Thrive Kids, to grow its enrollment. Quality, affordable early learning is essential to giving children an equal start. Stable, safe housing and access to early education together can break the cycle of abuse and create a stronger path forward for generations to come.
Together, we are changing the path forward — helping people move beyond crisis, giving children the opportunity to thrive, and creating safer, healthier futures.
Thank you for your support.
Tricia Swartling
CEO
Kat Bridwell
Board President
The Advocates is
more than a shelter.
The Advocates’ Mission Moment
“Two years ago, Renee and her children came to The Advocates’ shelter fleeing severe domestic violence and child sexual abuse. After finding stability in shelter, they moved into our Transitional Housing Program. Over the next two years, I met with her more than 200 times, supporting her as she rebuilt her life and cared for her children. She moved from a $16/hour job into a management position with benefits, and the family eventually moved into their own permanent, affordable apartment.
Today, her children are playing on sports teams and doing well in school. She is volunteering with local youth, and the family is fully integrated into our community. Lasting change doesn’t happen overnight — it happens through consistent support, over time, with many touchpoints and layers of care.”
— Case Manager at The Advocates
“As a mom, it felt really good to finally relax knowing we had a permanent place to live.”
— Renee
Changing How Survivors Live
Research backs up what we see every day: safe, stable housing changes the trajectory for survivors and their children. The Transitional Housing Program at The Advocates is more than a roof over someone’s head — it is a foundation for safety and healing. In a two-year study* of 344 survivors and their children, those who received housing-focused support experienced greater safety and financial stability and fewer symptoms of depression and mental health struggles. For children, that stability matters even more. A safe, peaceful home gives families the space and security to heal, build healthy relationships, and end the cycle of abuse.
SAFETY → HOUSING → STABILITY → HEALING → OPTIONS → A POSITIVE PATH
4,460 nights of safe shelter were provided
27 households (45 people) participated in transitional housing
89% of families who graduated out of transitional housing moved into permanent, independent housing
100% remained safely housed at least six months after leaving
*Domestic Violence Housing First 2023
“ARCH is grateful for the supportive services provided by The Advocates. Their case managers work diligently to ensure that when ready, clients move seamlessly from Advocates’ transitional housing to ARCH permanent housing.”
— Michelle Griffith, Executive Director of ARCH Community Housing Trust
Changing What Survivors Do
Change doesn’t happen overnight. And it doesn’t happen alone.
Last year, 79% of clients took a measurable step toward independence — finding safe housing, securing employment, gaining financial stability, or separating from an abusive partner. 196 children were part of this journey toward change.
Those steps often begin in a case management session.
4,815 case management sessions helped survivors navigate the legal systems, access counseling, find employment, create safety plans, and build a path toward a safer future for themselves and their children.
Change didn’t stop there.
The Advocates facilitated 278 support groups and workshops, giving survivors opportunities to learn, connect, and rebuild relationships.
“I love the family workshops. They really helped me connect with my teen, build back trust, and we finally feel like a real family.”
— Emily
For many, the first step is simply making a phone call.
The Advocates answered 3,767 Help Line calls and texts last year. Rarely is a crisis resolved with one conversation. However, when a person calls feeling overwhelmed, we help them develop a safety plan, offer resources and end the call with concrete steps for the next hour, day, or week.
ADVOCACY IS TURNING A CRISIS INTO A PLAN, A PLAN INTO ACTION, AND ACTION INTO CHANGE.
Changing How Children Live
Children are at the center of The Advocates’ work.
Last year, 196 children received services from The Advocates. They are our clients, too. For a child, safety isn’t simply the absence of violence. It is having a safe place to sleep, a trusted adult to turn to, opportunities to learn and play, and the chance to experience healthy relationships. Our work helps children understand that home can be safe, adults can be trusted, and their future can look different.
149 children received therapeutic and advocacy support
39 children received early learning through THRIVE Kids
75 children received safe, stable housing
“Everytime you come over you show us our strengths and find new ones, thank you for always teaching us new things.”
— Lena, after a home visit from her childrens’ case manager.
EARLY LEARNING CHANGES THE PATH FORWARD
THRIVE Kids Early Learning Center
A place to learn, grow, and belong. THRIVE Kids provides quality, affordable, bilingual early learning for clients and families throughout the community. In addition to learning the ABC’s and 123’s, children build social-emotional skills, resilience, and confidence in a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
“Knowing my son is safe, supported, and learning in such a wonderful place, gives me so much peace of mind.”
— Colleen
$290,000
in scholarships provided
Prevention
We believe that education is the key to ending abuse in all its forms. This year, The Advocates’ Prevention Team reached 4,860 local youth, teaching them the skills they need to build healthy relationships, set boundaries and recognize unhealthy behaviors. Through classroom workshops, sports teams, and community events, The Advocates’ Prevention Team works to build a community free of abuse.
Our Every Teen Counts (ETCs) interns receive 31 hours of training and act as peer leaders and advocates in middle and high schools throughout Blaine County. Their impact goes beyond classroom lessons.
“I think differently about dating relationships and friendships now. I understand that it is not rude to have clear boundaries and expectations in a relationship. I am a better friend and family member after my year of being an ETC.”
— Anna, 2025 ETC
PREVENTION IS: Changing the path forward, one young person and one relationship at a time.
The Attic
More Than a Thrift Store. A Lifeline for Survivors.
The Attic is a place where survivors of abuse can find the essentials they need to rebuild their lives — and where everyone in Hailey can shop affordably, discover a treasure, and give back.
As the only thrift store in the Valley offering free vouchers for survivors and community members in need, The Attic provided 1,228 vouchers worth more than $54,000 last year for clothing, shoes, furniture and household essentials.
The Attic brings people together around a simple purpose: making sure our neighbors have what they need. Every purchase and donation helps survivors move forward with 100% of proceeds supporting The Advocates’ clients.
Thank you for shopping, donating and helping make The Attic a resource that strengthens our whole community.
“I do not think I’d be alive today had I not had the help, kindness and support I’ve received from The Advocates while I was living in the shelter. It was the first time in my life I felt safe.”
— Paula
PROGRAM REVENUE 2025-2026
Foundation Grants
$249,061
Government Grants
$610,210
Advocates’ Attic Net
$272,810
Fundraising
$1,768,037
Program Income
$280,035
TOTAL
$3,180,153
PROGRAM EXPENSES 2025-2026
Shelter and Healing
$547,414
Transition & Support
$1,411,281
Education & Prevention
$461,899
Thrive Kids
$460,531
TOTAL
$2,881,125
This financial report is a snapshot in time. All funds support current and future-year operations and The Advocates’ financial stability.
The Path Forward Starts Here
For a survivor, the path forward may begin with one phone call.
For a child, it may begin with one safe night.
For a pet, it may begin with living in shelter with its owner.
Your support creates the moments when change becomes reality.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT
$100
Provides a safe night in shelter and 24-hour crisis support for a family of three and their pets.
$250
Supports employment and life-skills training through Skills for Success workshops.
$500
Helps a child access early learning at THRIVE Kids, building a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond.
$1,000
Provides free legal services to help survivors secure protection orders and parenting plans.
$2,500
Helps a survivor enter transitional housing program for up to two years as they build a life free from abuse.
$5,000
Sustains The Advocates’ 24-hour crisis Help Line.
Your support saves lives and changes futures.
A list of our generous ’25-26 donors
can be found at TheAdvocatesOrg.org
The Advocates is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
EIN Tax ID number: #94-3162848. Donations are tax-deductible.
“The case managers at The Advocates changed my life and my children’s lives. They made us feel valued, capable and never alone. I found a friend, a counselor, and someone who understood my pain and held my hand when I felt I was on the brink of an abyss.”
— Amy
The Advocates’ THRIVE Center for Safety and Healing
Come visit us in our new building
201 S River Street in Hailey
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kat Bridwell, President
Wally Jarman, Vice President
Austin Sprole, Secretary
Sharon Knight, Treasurer
George Berridge
Lesley Klein
Sandy McCullough
Kim Pertel
Tom Poole
To learn more about our programs, donate, or get involved,
visit us online: TheAdvocatesOrg.org
TheAdvocatesOrg.org
PO Box 3216 • Hailey, Idaho 83333 • 208-788-4191