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COVID-19 Update from Jill

I want to start by thanking the entire community for an outpouring of support. As a CAPSA supporter, you recognize how domestic violence and sexual abuse support services are even more critical during a public crisis.

While many nonprofits have reduced services during this public crisis, CAPSA has been ramping up services. I’d like to provide you an update on how.

INCREASED NEED FOR CAPSA

During a public crisis, there is an increased need for CAPSA’s domestic violence and rape support services. With social distancing, many victims are now trapped with their abusers, and increased fear and anxiety often trigger escalated abuse.

Here are some national news reports that demonstrate these concerns:

TIME – https://time.com/580…/coronavirus-domestic-violence-victims/

USA Today – https://www.usatoday.com/…/coronavirus-domestic…/5067349002/

ABC News – https://abcnews.go.com/…/isolation-families-coronavi…/story…

CAPSA is committed to providing all of our core support services while ensuring the safety of our staff – this is true now more than ever. CAPSA’s core services include casework, safety planning, rape exam advocacy, protective order support, legal reporting assistance, clinical therapy and emergency shelter.

How we provide services has and will change some, but the resources, expertise and support CAPSA provides will continue.

USING TECHNOLOGY

In the last two weeks, CAPSA has implemented technology and created procedures to move all casework and clinical therapy to phone and online sessions. CAPSA is utilizing Microsoft Teams to provide encrypted video conferences which meet Tier-D security standards and are protected by the same level of confidentiality as face-to-face meetings.

We have been in contact will all current clients, and the transition to online meetings has been smooth.

Most new clients initiate contact with CAPSA through our 24/7 support phone line at 435-753-2500. During these calls, we assess their safety and start providing case management; the only difference is their follow-up casework will be online or via phone. If we determine they are in immediate danger and emergency shelter is needed, our emergency shelter is still open, though we are established additional processes shared below.

RAPE EXAM ADVOCACY

One exception to moving services online is rape exam advocacy.

We will continue to send a caseworker to the hospital for all rape exams to ensure the client’s rights are honored and to connect them with CAPSA’s services. Follow-up services increase x1,000 when we connect with the individual before the rape exam. Cache Valley Hospital will provide the appropriate protective gear when we are on site.

SHELTER PROCEDURES

In regards to our emergency shelter, we are setting up quarantine and distancing processes. This is a significant undertaking as we operate a homeless shelter for domestic violence survivors.

Currently, our emergency shelter is full; as clients move out we will reduce the maximum number of shelter clients from 32 to 16 to increase distancing and reduce shared common space, including shared bathrooms. We are currently working on other off-site shelter options to increase capacity back to 32 individuals; here is an early story: https://www.facebook.com/172756986111825/posts/2761754623878702/?d=n More to come soon.

All new shelter clients will be placed in a hotel for up to seven days for isolation and observation of symptoms prior to allowing them in our onsite shelter. While at the hotel, if they start showing symptoms, they will maintain isolation for an additional 14 days. After this quarantine period, if we have the space, we will move clients into the shelter.

This isolation protocol has already been put to use, as we have placed a new shelter client in a hotel room for quarantine. This will be expensive, but we feel it is necessary to keep our staff and other clients safe and healthy. This is the type of initiative you support when you donate to CAPSA.

ASK FOR HELP

I would ask you and our community to help share CAPSA’s message and donate to ensure core programs remain available to those needing assistance.

A simple method to share CAPSA’s message is to follow CAPSA on Facebook and to like, share and comment on our posts. There are people in your social network that need to view this message.

You can also help by donating to CAPSA. You can make a donation online at www.capsa.org/donate or by mail at PO Box 3617, Logan UT 84323.

You can also create a Facebook Fundraiser for CAPSA and encourage your friends and family to donate; Facebook fundraisers are easy to set up at www.FB.com/pg/CAPSAservices/fundraisers.

Thank you for your continued support. We cannot do this work without you and need your support now more than ever.

Jill Anderson

CAPSA | Executive Director

International Women’s Day

CAPSA was founded and continues to be built by amazing women. With International Women’s Day, we would like to recognize and thank just a few.

JENNY BOX

Jenny Box was one of the founders and a continued friend of CAPSA. CAPSA was founded after two high-profile rape cases occurred on Utah State University’s campus. A group of students, staff and community members (including Jenny) came together to create the Cache Valley Rape Crisis Team.

Shortly after the founding of the Rape Crisis Line, law enforcement began referring domestic violence victims to use this support phone line. Jenny recognized the needs for these women were different, including the need for somewhere safe to escape abuse – Jenny committed her home to be the first CAPSA shelter. Imagine housing women and children fleeing abuse in your own home. This was a true act of charity.

Jenny continues to support CASPA over the years including serving as a board member, donor and ambassador. Jenny helped establish CAPSA by raising funds to buy our first shelter and establish CAPSA as an official nonprofit. Because of her early leadership and continued support, CAPSA has grown to be considered Utah’s premiere domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape recovery center.

Jenny has been a cornerstone of our organization. To honor her service and amazing charity, CAPSA will be installing a permanent cornerstone honoring Jenny in our building expansion which will begin construction later this year.

 

 JAN MILLER

Jan Miller was the founder of Stander: Be Independent. As Stander’s “Fearless Leader”, Jan positioned Stander as the industry leader in accessibility products, but probably more important to her was Stander’s culture of doing what is right, creating partnerships, and helping others stand tall.

Jan served on the CAPSA board from 2006 through 2018 and was passionate about helping empower survivors of domestic violence to become independent. During her service, Jan served as board president, housing committee chair, and historian. Jan lead efforts to build Independence Place (a CAPSA owned neighborhood of nine homes), establish an endowment, supported expanded therapy, and create the zero turn away fund. For the zero turn away, Jan committed her company to be the first to do payroll deductions and because of her support CAPSA’s shelter has not turned away any local family displaced by domestic violence since 2016.

Jan passed on June 3, 2018. CAPSA has renamed our annual golf tournament to the Jan Miller Memorial Golf tournament to honor her support and passion of CAPSA.


MARY PALLEY

Mary gave her time, passion, and money to protect and empower individuals impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse. CAPSA in many ways stands as a legacy of Mary’s work. Her influence is seen and felt throughout CAPSA.

Mary was a retired attorney and passionate advocate, and she served on CAPSA’s Board of Trustees for over 26 years. As an attorney, Mary provided countless hours of free legal advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, working selflessly to promote safety as she helped survivors navigate the court process and obtain protective orders.

Mary worked with CAPSA to develop and fund transitional housing, dedicated in name to her grandchildren, to ensure survivors and their children have access to safety and supportive services.

Mary was taken for this world on March 11, 2016. In remembrance of her, CAPSA has named the Children’s Center the Mary Flynn Palley Children’s Center.

 

JILL ANDERSON

Jill Anderson is the current Executive Director of CAPSA and has started this role in 1997. Through Jill’s vision and inspired leadership, CAPSA has grown from a one-home shelter to a full organization providing comprehensive services that meet the complex needs of survivors.  In addition to spearheading facility expansion, including building a new victim support center, shelter, and a transitional housing subdivision (Independence Place), a second neighborhood (Independence Way), Jill has enhanced programs and expanded the capacity of CAPSA to provide critical 24-hour services, shelter, therapy, and housing for survivors.  Over 300 men, women, and children find safety in CAPSA’s shelter each year and over 1,500 others receive advocacy, therapy, and support services.

Jill began her career working with at-risk youth at the Cache County Juvenile Detention Center and at Bear River Mental Health. It was during her time volunteering for CAPSA that she quickly became passionate about working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.  She was inspired by the work CAPSA was doing and the positive impact it had on the lives of women and children fleeing violence and abuse.   Her commitment grew during her volunteer work at the shelter where she witnessed a great deal of strength, courage, and hope in the families she helped.  Since that time, she has dedicated more than 25 years to serving survivors and working to prevent abuse from happening in our community.

We are grateful for Jill’s vision and leadership. Her work has positively impacted thousands of women in our community.



These above women are only a few who have made lasting impacts to CAPSA. CAPSA is grateful for the hundreds of other women who support CAPSA and our clients. This includes the many staff, volunteers, board members, donors and supporters.  We could not do this work without amazing women.

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Fight Against Domestic Violence will be sponsoring the playground in Independence Place for $6,000 per year

CAPSA is excited to announce Fight Against Domestic Violence, an international foundation based out of Salt Lake City, will be sponsoring the playground in Independence Place for $6,000 per year.  

Background

Independence Place, a neighborhood owned and operated by CAPSA, is made up of nine single family homes, a playground, and a neighborhood garden. Part of a larger transitional housing program, Independence Place allows for more flexibility to support families who may not qualify for other housing opportunities. While in CAPSA’s Transitional Housing Program, participants receive housing assistance and continue to work with CAPSA staff for up to two years as they work on life assets.

CAPSA is the first and only nonprofit domestic violence shelter in Utah to build their own neighborhood. Independence Place is considered a flagship transitional housing program for the state of Utah.

“Our clients really start to heal once they are safe and have a place to call home. This is why finding housing is among the first priorities when families enter our emergency shelter,” stated Jill Anderson Executive Director of CAPSA. “The vision of Independence Place is to ensure CAPSA is always able to provide housing to our clients now and in the future. By owning our own housing, it allows us to help more of our clients and their families start new lives free from abuse.”

Independence Place broke ground in 2011 and was completed in 2015. The neighborhood was fully funded by private donations from foundations, businesses, and individuals including the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Wasatch Property Management Group, Conservice, Sports Academy, Riverwoods Conference Center, Schreiber, and many individual donors. Since 2015, CAPSA has been able to provide housing assistance and housing to an average of 30 families per year.

Independence Place Sponsorship

As a nonprofit, CAPSA relies on community support both financially and through direct support. The Independence Place sponsorship program accomplishes both by raising money to cover many of the neighborhood expenses and fund other outreach services and offset some maintenance cost. It is also to connect the community to CAPSA and demonstrates to our clients they are supported.

“The vision of this sponsorship program is more than just raising money. It is linking the community to CAPSA by giving them ownership in their sponsored home,” stated James Boyd Development Director at CAPSA. “We want these organizations to feel like these homes are their homes. We put their name of the home and give them multiple service project opportunities.”

The amount of $6,000 is the average cost for CAPSA to subsidize housing for our families.

“It is amazing to see how the healing really begins when a family is in a safe home. They begin on a path that changes generations,” stated Anderson. “$6,000 is really a small investment for this family and for our community. We are lucky to have great businesses in our community, and now across the state, who can see this vision and want to support this program and these families.”

Lewiston State Bank became the first home sponsor in January 2018. “This program does so much for our community, and we are happy to be a sponsor,” said Judd Austin, president of Lewiston State Bank. “The Bank takes pride in being an annual sponsor.”

Other businesses join Lewiston State Bank as an ongoing sponsor including Malouf Foundation, Icon Foundation, and MW Construction.

Fight Against Domestic Violence

Fight Against Domestic Violence (FADV) is committed to providing education, awareness, outreach, and resources to domestic violence victims and those who support them.

FADV’s Executive Director, Dr. Jessie Richards, is an Aggie and a long-time supporter of CAPSA and Cache Valley. “CAPSA is such an inspiration,” stated Richards. “It is one of the first shelters to implement a ‘zero-turn-away’ policy, which means it is constantly innovating new ways to support survivors.” Because of her relationship to Logan, FADV has also financially supported research on domestic violence at Utah State.

“CAPSA is a leading voice in Housing First policies, creating safe and stable environments for survivors. We want to be part of their innovation,” stated Brooke Muir, FADV’s Program Director. Muir, and Richards, along with Stephanie Buehner, FADV’s Outreach Director, chose to sponsor CAPSA’s playground at Independence Place starting in January of 2019. “We know how crucial it is for children to feel safe and happy while they are in transitional housing.” Stated Buehner. “That’s why this playground is so important to FADV and to the larger community.”

In addition to sponsoring projects such as the Independence Place playground, FADV provides funds to service providers all over the state. Over a million people each year will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. To provide the best care for victims/survivors, service providers rely on support from corporations and individuals, as federal funding does not fully meet many crisis needs. FADV works to fill those funding gaps by distributing unrestricted “Crisis Cash” grants and facilitating other donations and resources to help support survivors. To get involved, or to become a corporate partner making changing in our community, visit www.fadv.org or send an email to Stephanie@fadv.org.

CAPSA still sponsorship opportunities for four of the homes and the neighborhood garden. By becoming an annual sponsor of a home, an organization will receive signage one of CAPSA’s home, public recognition, and optional team building service opportunities. To secure your sponsorship please contact James Boyd at (435)753-2500 or james@capsa.org.

About

CAPSA is a Cache Valley nonprofit domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape recovery center serving northern Utah. CAPSA provides trauma informed services including advocacy, emergency shelter, transitional housing, and clinical therapy for women, men, and adolescence impacted by abuse. All services are FREE and confidential. Please call our support line anytime at (435)753-2500 to speak with a trained advocate. Learn more about CAPSA at www.capsa.org.

Fight Against Domestic Violence (FADV) is a 501-c3 organization committed to providing education, awareness, outreach, and resources to domestic violence victims and those who support them. Learn more at www.fadv.org.

Contact

James Boyd, Development Director for CAPSA, james@capsa.org, 435-760-5277 (cell)

Jessie Richards, Executive Director for FADV, Jessie@fadv.org, 801-792-0543 (cell)

Stephanie Buehner, Outreach Director, Stephanie@fadv.org, 801-541-4941 (cell)

 

Download Full Press Release

Logan, Utah Women’s March

On January 20, CAPSA therapist, Vikki Salinas delivered the following speech to a crowd gathered for Logan Utah’s second annual Women’s March.

Hello! My name is Vikki Salinas, and I am a therapist who works at Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse, or, CAPSA. I have worked with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault for more than a decade, but I learned about the Me Too movement, like many of you, just a few months ago. As the movement gained speed on social media, my first thought was what an excellent way to help others know they are not the only ones that have experienced sexual assault or rape. These two short words – me too – carry the weight of a centuries-long struggle to be seen. To be heard. To be understood. The pain of sexual assault and rape can be a burden too great to carry on our own, but these two short words say: “You are not alone in your experience, I hear you.” And women around the world have boldly shared these words and their stories, and with that, they have declared, enough is enough!

The activist Tarana Burke founded the Me Too movement 10 years ago. Before she started the movement Tarana was the program director for Brooklyn-based Girls for Gender Equity, and her main goal was to empower young women of color. In 1997, Tarana found herself sitting across from a 13-year-old girl who was explaining her experience with sexual assault. Tarana was left speechless, not even working up the courage to say the words Me Too. 10 years after that conversation is where the Me Too movement started. Tarana went on to create Just Be Inc., a non-profit organization that helps victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Tarana actively sought resources that were not readily available to her 10 years before and committed herself to helping people who had been abused.

Tarana did not intend for the Me Too movement to grow into what it is today, becoming the major social media campaign that it has now become. Tarana envisioned a social movement that takes a bold stance and empowers women and girls to proclaim, “I am not ashamed, I am not alone.”  Me Too is a statement from survivor to survivor that says: “I see you, I hear you, I understand you.”

One thing I know from doing this work: survivors of sexual assault and rape want to be heard. They want to feel validated and safe. They want to know they can talk to someone and not feel pressured to make any one decision. When women are heard, they are empowered to take that next step, or finally close that chapter in their lives that has hurt them so badly. At CAPSA, we provide a safe environment free of judgment where a person can feel heard and know their experience is validated when we tell them “This wasn’t your fault.”

This is an exciting time in the struggle for gender equality. The mountain is steep, and the burden is great, but together we will reach the summit and look out on a world where instead of victims being blamed for what has happened to them or be made to feel ashamed of themselves they are encouraged and supported in their healing journey. Let us keep pressing forward, let us not lose the momentum we are experiencing. Let the Me Too movement not just be but a moment, but a movement. Tell those who are brave enough to share their stories of sexual assault that you hear them. You don’t have to walk in their shoes to feel their pain…you just have to walk beside them and tell them “I see you, I hear you, I understand you. And…I am with you.”

You can view a recording of the speech on YouTube.

Support local representatives

As individuals, there are many ways for us to work toward ending abuse within our communities; we can stop victim blaming. We can intervene if we feel an individual is being pressured into unwanted physical activity or if their significant other is ignoring or mistreating them. We can alert authorities when we hear whispers of abuse, or threats of individuals taking their lives or that of their children if a relationship ends. Another way we can end abuse, however, is to support our local leaders making a difference.

Two Utah politicians are constantly moving forward bills and amendments to further free and empower survivors of abuse. Angela Romero of the Utah House of Representatives and Todd Weiler of the Utah State Senate, are enacting laws that are making a difference.

Previous Laws

In 2015, Romero and Weiler introduced a bill defining what consent means. They proposed consent could not be given if an individual is incapacitated, and consent could not be given if the individual was unable, at the moment, to understand the consequences of their choice. The bill passed, and now these definitions of consent are used in Utah courts.

In 2017, Romero and Weiler introduced Sexual Assault Kit Processing Amendments. The bill required all sexual assault kits, except for those classified as restricted kits, to be tested and obtain DNA profiles. It also mandated that sexual assault kits be completed within a certain amount of time. The Department of Public Safety was given authority to implement a sexual assault kit tracking system, and the Department of Public Safety and the Utah Prosecution Council were required to provide training to law enforcement on how to respond to sexual assault cases. This bill passed and all provisions therein became effective on May 9, 2017.

Also in 2017, Romero and Weiler introduced Campus Advocate Confidentiality Amendments. This bill defined terms and made it clear who was responsible for reporting information in a case of domestic violence or sexual assault in a higher education setting.

Upcoming Bills

In 2018, Romero and Weiler are introducing the Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Amendments. This bill proposes a cohabitant can be defined as an individual who, “is or was in a consensual sexual relationship with the other party.” By adding this definition, individuals who were not married or living together, but experienced abuse, can file for protective orders and seek safety within the courts.

The proposed bill also adds many responsibilities to law enforcement officers who are called to an abusive situation. The bill proposes, “A law enforcement officer who responds to an allegation of stalking shall use all reasonable means to protect the victim and prevent further violence including:… confiscating the weapon or weapons involved in the alleged stalking; making arrangements for the victim and any child to obtain emergency housing or shelter; providing protection while the victim removes essential personal effects; arranging, facilitating or providing for the victim and any child to obtain medical treatment; and arranging, facilitating, or providing the victim with immediate and adequate notice of the rights of the victims and of the remedies and services available to victims of stalking.”

The bill also requires victims of stalking be given a list of local shelters and directions on how and where to file a stalking injunction.

This bill will be discussed in the 2018 general legislative session, and a decision will likely be made in March 2018. We encourage each of you to let your representatives know you support Senate Bill 27, and we encourage you to reach out to Representative Romero and Senator Weiler and thank them for their work.

We can make a difference through our policies, laws and political involvement.

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New Board Members: Christy Glass & Beth Foley

This December, CAPSA has welcomed two new members to its governing board: Christy Glass and Beth Foley. Below is a little bit about them.

Dr. Christy Glass received her Master’s and PhD in Sociology from Yale University. Following her graduation, she began teaching at Utah State University in 2005. In 2016, she was named Researcher of the Year for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Glass primarily studies women in the workforce and their barriers toward promotion, as well as how mothers are perceived in a work environment.

Thank you, Christy for joining with CAPSA to make a difference.

 

Dr. Beth Foley is Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in communication disorders from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and she began teaching at Utah State in 1993. She served as head of the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education from 2004 to 2009. She has also served in the community by aiding individuals with communication disorders at the Cache Employment and Training Center. Internationally, Foley has worked with children in a Mexican orphanage called Gabriel House.

Thank you, Beth for your work!

Learn about the role our board members play on our blog.

Be Santa for CAPSA

From now until December 11, Citizens Against Physical & Sexual Abuse is accepting gift donations for the women, children and men within shelter and transitional housing.

Desired items include: gloves, hats, ITunes gift cards, Google Play Cards, movies, makeup kits, perfume, cologne, hair straighteners, curling irons, stocking stuffers, family oriented board games, playing cards and puzzles.

In addition to gifts, individuals can donate wrapping paper, gift bags, bows and ribbons.

“Financial abuse is prevalent among the families we see,” Jill Anderson, CAPSA’s executive director said. “The mothers within shelter don’t have the means to provide presents for their children. They can’t be Santa for them, and that’s heartbreaking.”

For the past five years, Anderson has watched as women from shelter and the transitional housing program have been able to pick out presents for their children amongst the gifts donated to CAPSA.

“It’s empowering,” Anderson said. “Everything may not be going right for these families, but it’s a liberating feeling knowing your child will wake up Christmas morning and see that not only has Santa not forgotten about them, but neither has their mom.”

Along with Anderson, the women and children within shelter are thankful for the donations they receive.

When asked what they were grateful for, children within shelter said, “Nice people, food, clothes, shoes, a house, family and friends.”

A mother in shelter added, “Your donations are beyond our expectations. Your kindness is a godsend. Thank you.”

Individuals wishing to donate can drop-off items at Cox Honeyland & Gifts, Global Village Gifts or Even Steven’s Sandwiches in Logan.

A longtime partner with CAPSA, Even Stevens is excited to give back to the community in this way. Logan restaurant manager, Acea Spencer said customers have already come in and expressed a desire to serve.

“I’ve seen parents come in and they tell me they’ll come back with their kids, so they can see them and understand the importance of giving, along with receiving,” Spencer said.

In an effort to encourage individuals to donate, Global Village Gifts will give 20% off one item from your purchase when you donate a gift to CAPSA.

“We really are grateful for the community’s support,” Anderson said. “Because of all of you, more than 200 families will have a Christmas this year.”

Contact: Katie Stringham, Development Support Coordinator, Katie@capsa.org, 435-753-2500

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An interview with NUVPEC chair, Ana Hernandez

Most of us probably haven’t heard of NUVPEC, but it stands for the Northern Utah Violence Prevention Education Coalition. To learn more about it, I interviewed the coalition chair, Ana Hernandez.

Q. Can you tell me the history of NUVPEC – when and how it was started?

A. In 2009, CAPSA’s prevention department completed a curriculum for male and female peer-to-peer discussion groups. At that time, CAPSA employees felt it was important to create a coalition.  It was called the Northern Utah Violence Prevention Education Coalition in order to address prevention efforts at the community level.

Our mission as a coalition is to reduce the incidences of sexual violence among youth in Cache County. The Northern Utah Violence Prevention Education Coalition aims to provide professional, respectful, sensitive and age appropriate prevention education to youth of all ages. NUVPEC will unite to implement developmental assets with an emphasis on positive values, social competencies and positive identities to help our future generations establish healthy, responsible and caring relationships.

Q. Who’s involved in NUVPEC?

A. Several organizations sit on NUVPEC: The Family Place, Alpha Chi Omega, the Logan Police Department, the Cache County’s Sheriff’s Office, Utah State University, Cache Makers, Pregnancy for Choices, the Department for Children and Family Services, Utah State’s Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information Office, Intermountain Healthcare, the Bear River Health Department and concerned citizens.

Q. What is NUVPEC doing in our community – what are the positive results you can point to from the program?

A. We hope that we are making a difference by raising awareness of domestic and sexual violence within our youth. Currently, we have several projects in the works.

Upstanding Youth Leadership Conference: Hosted at Utah State University on December 2, we have worked tirelessly with the Utah State Health Department and CAPSA to put this conference together. It is targeted specifically for Cache and Rich youth leaders, and we are hoping that by providing training by Marty Liccardo and other helpful workshops youth will be able to go back to their respective communities and teach their peers about making a difference and changing social norms.

Media Contest: Every year from January to the end of February the state of Utah holds a Media contest surrounding healthy relationships. This contest is for students, and NUVPEC participates by informing all the Middle and High School students about the contest and its theme.

Safe Dates: We partner with the Logan Police Department and the Fun Park to create an environment for youth to have fun while gaining an understanding of how to stay safe on a date and what to do if you feel uncomfortable at any portion of a night out.

Q. How are youth involved in NUVPEC?

A. NUVPEC raises awareness and holds events specifically for our youth. Members of the CAPSA Youth Council also help educate their peers with a member of NUVPEC.

Q. How does NUVPEC inspire and create youth leaders?

A. I hope that by making a difference the youth can see that they too can make a difference. A lot of times youth, and even adults, feel that in order to make a difference they have to be labeled as a leader. However, you do not have to be in any type of position (although it can be helpful) to make a difference and rise to inspire and be a leader.

Q. What have you learned from chairing NUVPEC?

A. When I started, I met with each member individually and listened to their concerns, ideas, and successes with the intention of making the coalition better. So far, I have been able to include more members from our community. I am also reaching out to the Latino community in hopes of bringing awareness to them,as well. I realize that although I am not perfect, I have learned that by showing others that I am human, that I care and that I am there to help them make a difference we become more united and are able to achieve more.

Q. What are the long-term goals of NUVPEC?

A. I want to continue inspiring youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. I also want to reach out to more community organizations and involve them in order to bring more awareness to families, and specifically youth.

Thank you, Gail

At the beginning of October, Gail Weinshenker stepped down from the CAPSA Board. A tremendous force for good, we want to thank her for the indescribable amount of service she has given to CAPSA throughout the years.

In 2016, Weinshenker’s gift of $100,000 allowed CAPSA to

move forward with it’s plans to renovate and expand it’s therapy services and children’s center.

A constant supporter of CAPSA, many employees remember her for her generosity, and her willingness to give whatever she could to CAPSA.

“She donated hand-made purses, large pillows with hand-made pillow cases, clothing, and just so much of her time and her heart to CAPSA,” Katie Stringham, CAPSA’s Development Support Coordinator said.

Along with giving to CAPSA, Weinshenker has improved the lives of students at Utah State University and members of the Cache Valley Center of the Arts’, through her donations of artifacts and money to both organizations.

Learn more of Gail’s giving nature through the following articles:

Major gift helps CAPSA develop needed therapy area and children’s center

Great Chair-ity Challenge decorates sidewalks of Main Street

USU College of Science Honors Scholars, Donors at Fall Convocation

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CAPSA expands into Rich County

Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse is recognized by state and federal authorities as the domestic violence, sexual assault and rape recovery center for Rich County. However, due to limited resources, prior to 2017, this meant citizens of Rich County had to travel to Logan for services.

The distance between Rich County and CAPSA’s emergency shelter is greater than 70 miles, and it takes more than an hour and a half to drive to.

Knowing this, CAPSA Executive Director, Jill Anderson decided to expand services to Rich County.

“It takes a tremendous amount of courage to leave an abusive relationship,” Anderson said. “I don’t want people hesitating to leave because shelter is too far away.”

CAPSA began its expansion into the county by educating middle and high school students on healthy relationships and how to prevent bullying.

“Education plays a huge role in ending abuse,” CAPSA’s Prevention Education Coordinator, Shellie Lusk said. “Many teenagers don’t know how to react to violence because no one’s ever taught them what to do when they see it or who to talk to.”

In addition to educating students, CAPSA has assigned a full-time caseworker, Allie Leezer, to Rich County.

To date, Leezer has assisted two individuals with protective orders and finding safe housing. She hopes to assist more residents as they become increasingly familiar with CAPSA and its mission.

“Sometimes it’s scary when you have to contact a caseworker,” Leezer said. “No one ever wants to make that phone call, but I hope the community can begin to see how we are aiding families in need, and we’re helping people live lives free of abuse and fear.”

If you or a loved one has experienced domestic abuse or sexual assault, call CAPSA at (435) 753-2500. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

CAPSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to ending abuse. It provides free confidential therapy and shelter services to those in need, and it has a 24-hour hotline where individuals experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault can call to receive services.

Contacts:

Katie Stringham, Development Support Coordinator, katie@capsa.org, 435-753-2500

Allie Leezer, Rural/Rich Caseworker, allie@capsa.org, 435-753-2500

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