Michelle Benson

Alexandra House was established in 1977, when a group of concerned citizens formed the Anoka County Task Force for Battered Women. Within a year the Task Force established a 24-hour crisis line, with the first emergency shelter opening in 1980. First located in Fridley, the original shelter housed 12 women and children. In 1983 the shelter moved to a new site in Blaine that provided space for 17 residents. By 1994, the second shelter was outgrown and the organization built its current facility in Blaine, which can house up to 35 women and children (including males to age 18) at a time. As the needs of the community evolved, so too has Alexandra House expanded on its services – adding legal advocacy, therapy and support services, violence prevention programs, abuse in later life resources, and community education and professional training. Alexandra House supports everyone who is affected by domestic and sexual violence and abuse in later life. We are a resource for victims and survivors of sexual violence in any form. We also offer support to friends and family of victim/survivors and other concerned persons. We provide 24-hour emergency shelter, support services and advocacy to victims of domestic and sexual violence. We are located in the cities of Blaine and Anoka, but serve victims of domestic and sexual violence across the state of Minnesota. The mission of Alexandra House is to empower victims of domestic and sexual violence, and inspire social change, through education, support and advocacy.