In 2002, Pierce County was experiencing a high incidence of methamphetamine labs, production, and usage.  Many young people were exposed to methamphetamine (many times by their parents) and its highly addictive properties.  Young women with children developed chemical addictions. Children were removed or put in foster care because the mother was unable to care for her children.

In many instances, the women experienced homelessness or incarceration. As a result of this cycle, they needed a place to recover… when others had given up on them.

A group of concerned citizens banned together with the City of Tacoma and Pierce County to address this need and New Phoebe House Association opened its doors in December 2002, and has been serving women at full capacity ever since. 

Although today the challenge of methamphetamine addiction continues, we also serve women with addictions to other chemicals, including alcohol and crack cocaine. The residents of today are, in many cases, the children of the early meth addicts in our area.