History 1Agape House began in 1997 when Ben and Pam Patterson felt called to provide a safe, loving environment for children in need. After opening their home to foster children, Pam quickly recognized the opportunity to provide more space and mentoring to help heal the broken hearts of the children they took in. From there, a non-profit ministry began with a simple yet challenging promise to never turn away a child in need.

Today, Agape House has grown to provide counseling services, mentoring, school and a safe home for girls and their families throughout Walworth, Milwaukee and Dane Counties in Wisconsin and from surrounding states, including Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan. Agape House is the only facility of its kind in Wisconsin, and one of only nine such facilities nationwide.

Agape House History & Growth

1997: Operations begin from Pam and Ben Patterson’s home.

1998:Β Β  Agape House becomes incorporated.

2001: The first Agape House teen home is purchased.

2005: The Agape House mentoring program begins.

2006: A new building is purchased for expansion to add a school.

2007: Agape House school opens. Counseling services begin to be offered.

2008: The teen home is moved to a new building. The previous home becomes the Transitional Living Home (TLH).

2010: Renovations on the new building are completed.

2011: A building across the street from Agape House and School is purchased for additional counseling space.

2012: A counseling center is opened in the new building and the TLH is reopened there.

2014: Work continues to open a Transitional Living Home in Janesville, Wis. (Closed in 2016).

2017: For our 20th Anniversary celebration, the following videos were prepared to capture the essence of what God is doing through this ministry.

2018: Donation of building at 119 Phillips Ave. in Walworth

2019: The boy’s home and school opens.