Our History
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.
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.
About Us
