CAPSA’s Founding Story
Our Story
Survivors, partners, donors and community members who come to CAPSA, have likely noticed a prominent plaque adorning one of the cornerstones of the North entrance.
Etched on that plaque is a fitting tribute to our “founder” and “friend.” Jenny Box, a lifelong Cache Valley native, was one of the original founding members of CAPSA and continues to be a driving force for building CAPSA into the organization it is today.
Jenny Box – A Brief History of CAPSA
Following 2 high profile rape cases occurring on USU campus, Jenny, along with USU staff, students, and various community members, established the Cache Valley Rape Crisis Team. A team made up of devoted volunteers, Box and others stepped forward to fill a serious need in the community.
As she helped those in crisis, Jenny learned that many survivors of abuse and their families needed a means of escape. A safe and stable place to heal. In 1976, Jenny came to her husband and informed him that they would be sheltering families in crisis, using their own home.
With both in agreement, perhaps without knowing the full scope of the task they were undertaking, Jenny and Thad housed 3 families within the first week of opening their home as a shelter. Thad would later state “I’m a slow learner, but I figured out pretty fast that domestic violence was a problem here in the community.”
Stepping Forward – CAPSA Today
Since then, CAPSA has grown and flourished, serving as a local resource for survivors of abuse in both Cache and Rich County. This growth is due in part to CAPSA’s mission to unite the members of the community in taking a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault.
During the April 2011 Women in Business event, Jenny Box said of CAPSA:
“I can only conclude that this organization exists because it needs to exist, because it was meant to be. When the need is greatest, someone in our community always steps forward and saves the day.”
-source: https://wib.usu.edu/newsletters/2011April.pdf
Jenny Box Memorial Plaque
The philosophy of stepping forward to save the day personifies Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse, and without Jenny Box stepping forward to help establish CAPSA, it would not be the valuable resource to the community it currently is.
As such, Jenny Box will be forever honored on the cornerstone plaque of the CAPSA building, symbolizing her key role of building CAPSA into what it is today.