History
Founded in 1971 as a career resource center for women, WISE began as a grassroots organization offering education and employment training as well as support and information for new moms. As WISE became recognized as a safe space where women could gather as a community, they began to talk about experiences in their lives beyond careers. WISE listened and was struck by the stories of domestic and sexual violence at home and in the work place and realized that women were suffering.

In 1981 WISE joined the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and started our 24-hour crisis line (1-866-348-WISE). Eight years later the crisis line was receiving over 1000 calls annually.

In 1994 WISE hired a Youth Violence Prevention and Community Outreach Coordinator, expanding the mission to not only respond as a crisis center, but to advocate for social justice through education. Today WISE outreach programs reach an average of over 5000 people annually.

In 2001 WISE rented the first apartment to serve as a confidential emergency shelter for women fleeing violence. WISE is a member of the Upper Valley Housing Consortium, and sponsors women and families working to rebuild their independence.

In 2006 WISE bought the Program Center at 38 Bank Street in Lebanon NH, a permanent home and safe space for WISE, clients and the community. On February 8, 2008 WISE moved into the Program Center and has continued to provide and expand critical support for victims and survivors in the Upper Valley. 2008 was also the first year in which WISE supported over 1,000 unique clients.

In November 2009, WISE was proud to unveil our new website which you are now surfing, updating from our previous site: