In the 1990's our founder, Mike Champion, had an idea for a recovery program that would do more than serve
just addicts and alcoholics. He along with his personal advisor, backer, and best friend Mr. Jerry Moore, Champion House was born at
73 Madison Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina. Champion House started with 8 beds and a program of recovery designed to help a man not only
recover from addiction but to learn a whole new way of life living clean and sober and therefore become a productive member of society, a better
father, husband, and family member.
This worked out so well that Mike and Jerry decided to take it to the next level. In 2000 Champion House
started Safe Haven For Men and together as one acquired another house which gave Safe Haven 10 more beds. With Mike serving as Executive Director
and Jerry serving as the Spiritual Advisor for both Mike and Safe Haven we were a success. In 2003 Champion House d/b/a Safe Haven For Men
was incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit charitable organization with the state of North Carolina.
In 2004 Mike came down with kidney failure and in 2006 was forced to retire. At that time the decision was made for
one of our board members, Mr. Larry Whittington, to take over as President and Executive Director. Larry not only took the helm,
but what a blessing his leadership has been for our program. In 2007 Mike came out of retirement and rejoined Larry as 1st. Vice President and
Program Director. On March 5, 2008 we lost Mike to a cardiac arrest due to renal failure. We lost Jerry Moore in June of 2007 in a boating accident.
On July 1, 2008 Safe Haven For Men opened our 4th house at 75 Madison Avenue in Asheville, NC which gives us a capacity of 30 men.
Today Larry has been joined by Jerry's daughter, Lisa, on our board and we share a common vision of helping our
clients find a new way of life through clean and sober living.
