Everyone deserves to live feeling safe and free of abuse.
Our mission.
Wild Iris is dedicated to promoting a safer community by empowering and restoring the independence of those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Our vision is for non-violent relationships based on dignity, respect, compassion and equality.
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Our service area is all of Inyo and Mono Counties, including Death Valley and Tecopa regions and Coleville/ Walker, north to the Nevada State line. If you are out of our service area, we can refer you to agencies and organizations near you.
How we help.
Wild Iris offers an array of prevention and intervention services. Our services are provided at no charge and are completely confidential
Our history.
Wild Iris began in 1981 with a telephone in the home of two founding mothers of what was then known as “Women’s Services”. Two calls were received that year. The next year the phone number was listed in the phone book and an answering machine was donated to be able to respond to more calls.
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In 1984, we were incorporated as a non-profit organization. Our first office opened in August of that year and we began training volunteers for a 24-hotline. By 2002, we changed our name to Wild Iris and had 15 staff members and offices in both Bishop and Mammoth Lakes.
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Currently, Wild Iris has two offices and reaches out to all of Inyo and Mono Counties, serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, and offering programs such as parenting and co-parenting classes, supervised visitation monitors, and court-appointed special advocates.
Our board.
Current board members who oversee Wild Iris:
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Leslie Gaunt, Vice Chair
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Gretchen Seibert, Secretary/Treasurer
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Mark Heckman
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Shira Dubrovner
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Gretchen Skrotzki
Executive Director of Wild Iris:
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Vanessa Hays
760-873-9222
760-873-6601
877-873-7384