Brief History

My Sister’s House is founded.
My Sister’s House becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization, rooted in a vision of creating safety and support for Asian and Pacific Islander women and children experiencing violence.

Our first safe haven opens.
My Sister’s House opens Sacramento’s first six-bed safe haven for battered Asian and Pacific Islander women and children, establishing the foundation for a culturally responsive approach to survivor services.

The community comes together.
The first Run for a Safe Haven brings more than 1,200 community members together at William Land Park. The event becomes a lasting tradition of community support for survivors.

A decade of service.
My Sister’s House celebrates its 10th anniversary with the first Gala at the Crest
Theatre, marking a decade of growing community partnerships and support for
survivors.

Economic opportunity becomes part of the model.
My Sister’s Cafe launches as part of our job training program, expanding our approach beyond immediate safety to include employment skills, confidence, and pathways toward economic independence.

Our services expand to human trafficking survivors.
My Sister’s House opens the Anti-Trafficking House, extending our culturally responsive service model to survivors of human trafficking.

Our model expands to sexual assault services.
My Sister’s House begins providing sexual assault services in Yolo County and expands its role as a resource for culturally responsive practices among victim service providers.

Safety expands into housing stability.
The launch of our Housing First program strengthens the continuum of support, recognizing that lasting safety requires more than shelter—it requires a stable place to call home.

We adapt to a changing world.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, My Sister’s House adapts its programs and services to continue supporting survivors while navigating unprecedented challenges to safety, shelter, and access to care.

25 years of evolving with our community.
My Sister’s House celebrates 25 years of service, honoring the grassroots vision that began in 2001 and the evolution of a culturally responsive model that continues to meet survivors’ changing needs. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding safety, healing, opportunity, and hope for survivors and their families.

A broader continuum, rooted in culture and community.
Today, My Sister’s House serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking through a comprehensive continuum of culturally responsive services—including safety, advocacy, counseling, legal assistance, employment support, and economic and housing services.

Our work continues to evolve, but our foundation remains the same: when services understand culture, honor lived experience, and meet survivors with dignity, survivors have greater opportunity to heal, thrive, and build a future free from violence.