About Us
Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services, Inc. began in 1978 when concerned community members formed a task force to address rising domestic violence in our region. In 1980, we established the "Rape and Domestic Violence Center" as part of Marinette County Government, operating with an office and network of safe homes while providing information, referral, and education services.
We received our first state funding in 1982 and acquired our first shelter facility. In 1984, we moved to our current location, where we continue to serve survivors today. We incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 1993, expanding our mission beyond crisis intervention to include comprehensive prevention, education, and community outreach across Marinette, Florence, and Oconto counties.
On April 28, 2013, our organization suffered a devastating loss when long-term Legal Advocate and Interim Director Patricia Waschbisch was murdered by her boyfriend. Trish had dedicated her career to supporting survivors and advocating for systemic change. In her honor, we dedicated our shelter building as "The Patricia J. Waschbisch Center Against Domestic Violence." Her commitment to ending violence remains at the heart of everything we do.
For over four decades, Rainbow House has evolved from a grassroots task force into a comprehensive service provider offering emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, support groups, and community education. We serve hundreds of survivors annually while working toward our vision of communities free from domestic violence. Trish's legacy drives our continued innovation in trauma-informed services and our commitment to meeting survivors wherever they are in their healing journey.
