It’s that time of year again. The lights are twinkling, the air is crisp, and the spirit of giving is in full swing. At CAPSA, one of our most cherished traditions each holiday season is the Annual St. Nick’s Shop. This program brings the magic of the holidays to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and their families.
Every December, CAPSA transforms part of our facility into a warm, joyful, and completely free holiday shopping experience for our clients. Through the generosity of our incredible community, survivors can “shop” for gifts for their children and loved ones in a safe and supportive environment.
How It Works
The success of the St. Nick’s Shop depends entirely on community donations. Each year, generous individuals, families, businesses, and civic groups come together to fill the shop’s shelves with new, unwrapped gifts. These items are then displayed like a real store, where survivors can browse, choose, and wrap gifts for their loved ones, all at no cost.
This year, CAPSA is collecting new, unopened, and unwrapped gifts to stock the St. Nick’s Shop. Donations can be dropped off at our main office, located at:
This year, donations are due by Monday, December 8
Your donations will directly support families in our community who are working toward healing and stability after abuse. Every gift you give helps make the holidays brighter for someone who truly deserves some light this season.
Gift Ideas for the St. Nick’s Shop
Not sure what to donate? Here are some ideas that are always appreciated:
Toys: Building sets, dolls, action figures, puzzles, stuffed animals, and games for all ages.
Beauty Supplies: Makeup, skincare sets, bath products, hair tools, and nail polish kits.
Art Supplies: Coloring books, paints, sketch pads, craft kits, and journals.
Board Games: Family-friendly games, card decks, or puzzles to encourage connection and fun.
Winter Clothing: Coats, gloves, hats, scarves, socks, and warm pajamas.
Electronics: Headphones, small speakers, tablets, or accessories.
Household Items: Blankets, small appliances, kitchen tools, or décor that can make a house feel more like home.
No matter the size or type of your gift, every contribution helps create a joyful and meaningful holiday for survivors and their families.
Why It Matters
At CAPSA, we know that the holidays can be particularly challenging for individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. Many of our clients are starting over, rebuilding their lives from the ground up, and may not have the financial means to provide gifts or create the holiday experiences they wish for their children.
Your donations to the St. Nick’s Shop do more than fill shelves. They send a powerful message: you are seen, valued, and supported by your community.
When you donate to CAPSA’s St. Nick’s Shop, you’re not just giving a toy, a coat, or a game; you’re giving survivors the chance to celebrate the season with joy, dignity, and hope.
A Community That Cares
Each year, we’re deeply moved by the generosity of our community members, businesses, and volunteers who make the St. Nick’s Shop possible. From local families dropping off toys to corporate partners organizing donation drives, every act of giving contributes to a ripple of kindness that reaches far beyond the holidays.
Your support allows CAPSA to continue offering comprehensive, life-changing services year-round, from emergency shelter and therapy to housing assistance and advocacy. Together, we’re building a community where survivors can thrive, not just survive.
Join Us in Spreading Holiday Cheer
As you make your holiday plans and shopping lists this year, consider adding one more stop — CAPSA’s St. Nick’s Shop. Your contribution, no matter how small, helps create moments of magic and meaning for survivors and their families.
https://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Blog-Banners-4.jpg12602240Maddie Sotohttps://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/capsaLogo.pngMaddie Soto2025-11-14 08:57:582025-11-14 08:57:58CAPSA’s Annual St. Nick’s Shop: Bringing Holiday Magic to Survivors and Their Families
At CAPSA, we often say that caseworkers are the heart of our organization. That’s because every survivor’s story is unique, and so are the supports they may need as they rebuild safety, stability, and independence. Some survivors may want help navigating the legal system. Others may need assistance with housing, employment, transportation, or accessing mental health resources. And many simply need a steady, compassionate advocate in their corner.
Rather than “saving” survivors, CAPSA caseworkers walk alongside them. Survivors deserve full credit for their strength, resilience, and the choices they make. Caseworkers provide support, information, and connection, but the survivor remains in control of their journey.
What caseworkers offer is partnership. It is grounded in dignity, respect, and the belief that every person deserves to feel safe and supported.
What Does a CAPSA Caseworker Do?
When someone reaches out to CAPSA, a caseworker is often one of the first people they speak with. But what exactly does a caseworker do?
At CAPSA, caseworkers are trained advocates who support individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or other forms of abuse. They listen without judgment, help create personalized safety plans, and connect clients with resources that can make daily life safer and more stable.
A CAPSA caseworker might:
Arrange for emergency shelter when someone needs somewhere immediate and safe to go
Attend court hearings to provide support during protective order processes
Connect survivors with trauma-informed therapists for their mental health needs
Help coordinate access to housing programs, financial resources, or employment services
Offer emotional support and consistent follow-up, helping survivors rebuild confidence and a sense of control
While every survivor’s situation looks different, every caseworker’s goal remains the same: to help survivors identify options, understand their rights, and move forward in ways that feel right to them.
A Model Built on Availability and Accessibility
In the past, caseworkers at CAPSA were often described by specific specialties. While internal funding sources still shape some of our programs, we no longer assign clients to caseworkers based on specialty. Instead, survivors are connected to the first available caseworker within the appropriate program, whether that’s housing, shelter, or social services.
This approach removes unnecessary barriers and ensures survivors receive help quickly. Most importantly, it reinforces that no matter what someone is facing, any CAPSA caseworker is fully trained and prepared to offer support.
This also reflects how caseworkers approach their work: with adaptability, shared knowledge, and teamwork. Caseworkers collaborate constantly, learning from one another and ensuring clients get comprehensive, coordinated care.
Going Above and Beyond — Without Overstepping Survivor Agency
CAPSA caseworkers consistently go beyond what most people imagine an advocate does. If an abuser is monitoring a survivor’s movements, caseworkers may meet at a workplace or other neutral location. They make dozens of calls to help secure resources such as housing, legal support, childcare, transportation, or medical care.
They also complete extensive training in trauma-informed practices, not just in theory, but in how to apply those principles in real moments of crisis and healing.
But one of the most impactful parts of their work is this: Caseworkers make sure survivors know they have choices.
After long periods of control, manipulation, or isolation, having someone affirm your agency can be transformative. Caseworkers provide information, options, and support, but it is always the survivor who makes the decisions.
Hope, Healing, and Empowerment
For many survivors, reaching out to CAPSA can feel like the hardest step. But once they do, a caseworker is there to walk alongside them. Through crisis, through transition, and through rebuilding.
Caseworkers provide connection. They provide stability. They provide a nonjudgmental space to process fear, make plans, and reclaim control.
Every survivor’s success comes from their courage and choices. Caseworkers ensure they don’t have to navigate those choices alone.
How to Get Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, CAPSA offers free and confidential services to anyone in need. Caseworkers are always available for consultations to help you understand your options and access support.
Visit capsa.org to learn more or call our 24/7 Support Line: Utah: 435-753-2500 Idaho: 208-540-8536
You are not alone. CAPSA is here to walk beside you every step of the way.
https://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Blog-Banners-1.jpg12602240Maddie Sotohttps://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/capsaLogo.pngMaddie Soto2025-11-12 10:26:422025-11-14 09:24:37CAPSA Caseworkers: Partners in Safety, Healing, and Empowerment
CAPSA’s Annual St. Nick’s Shop: Bringing Holiday Magic to Survivors and Their Families
It’s that time of year again. The lights are twinkling, the air is crisp, and the spirit of giving is in full swing. At CAPSA, one of our most cherished traditions each holiday season is the Annual St. Nick’s Shop. This program brings the magic of the holidays to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and their families.
Every December, CAPSA transforms part of our facility into a warm, joyful, and completely free holiday shopping experience for our clients. Through the generosity of our incredible community, survivors can “shop” for gifts for their children and loved ones in a safe and supportive environment.
How It Works
The success of the St. Nick’s Shop depends entirely on community donations. Each year, generous individuals, families, businesses, and civic groups come together to fill the shop’s shelves with new, unwrapped gifts. These items are then displayed like a real store, where survivors can browse, choose, and wrap gifts for their loved ones, all at no cost.
This year, CAPSA is collecting new, unopened, and unwrapped gifts to stock the St. Nick’s Shop. Donations can be dropped off at our main office, located at:
308 W 1000 N, Logan, UT 84321
This year, donations are due by Monday, December 8
Your donations will directly support families in our community who are working toward healing and stability after abuse. Every gift you give helps make the holidays brighter for someone who truly deserves some light this season.
Gift Ideas for the St. Nick’s Shop
Not sure what to donate? Here are some ideas that are always appreciated:
No matter the size or type of your gift, every contribution helps create a joyful and meaningful holiday for survivors and their families.
Why It Matters
At CAPSA, we know that the holidays can be particularly challenging for individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. Many of our clients are starting over, rebuilding their lives from the ground up, and may not have the financial means to provide gifts or create the holiday experiences they wish for their children.
Your donations to the St. Nick’s Shop do more than fill shelves. They send a powerful message: you are seen, valued, and supported by your community.
When you donate to CAPSA’s St. Nick’s Shop, you’re not just giving a toy, a coat, or a game; you’re giving survivors the chance to celebrate the season with joy, dignity, and hope.
A Community That Cares
Each year, we’re deeply moved by the generosity of our community members, businesses, and volunteers who make the St. Nick’s Shop possible. From local families dropping off toys to corporate partners organizing donation drives, every act of giving contributes to a ripple of kindness that reaches far beyond the holidays.
Your support allows CAPSA to continue offering comprehensive, life-changing services year-round, from emergency shelter and therapy to housing assistance and advocacy. Together, we’re building a community where survivors can thrive, not just survive.
Join Us in Spreading Holiday Cheer
As you make your holiday plans and shopping lists this year, consider adding one more stop — CAPSA’s St. Nick’s Shop. Your contribution, no matter how small, helps create moments of magic and meaning for survivors and their families.
Drop off your new, unwrapped gifts by Monday, December 8, at CAPSA, 308 W 1000 N, Logan, UT 84321.
Let’s make this holiday season one of hope, compassion, and community.
Together, we can fill the shelves and the hearts of survivors across Cache Valley.
Donate or Learn More at capsa.org/donate
CAPSA Caseworkers: Partners in Safety, Healing, and Empowerment
At CAPSA, we often say that caseworkers are the heart of our organization. That’s because every survivor’s story is unique, and so are the supports they may need as they rebuild safety, stability, and independence. Some survivors may want help navigating the legal system. Others may need assistance with housing, employment, transportation, or accessing mental health resources. And many simply need a steady, compassionate advocate in their corner.
Rather than “saving” survivors, CAPSA caseworkers walk alongside them. Survivors deserve full credit for their strength, resilience, and the choices they make. Caseworkers provide support, information, and connection, but the survivor remains in control of their journey.
What caseworkers offer is partnership. It is grounded in dignity, respect, and the belief that every person deserves to feel safe and supported.
What Does a CAPSA Caseworker Do?
When someone reaches out to CAPSA, a caseworker is often one of the first people they speak with. But what exactly does a caseworker do?
At CAPSA, caseworkers are trained advocates who support individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or other forms of abuse. They listen without judgment, help create personalized safety plans, and connect clients with resources that can make daily life safer and more stable.
A CAPSA caseworker might:
Arrange for emergency shelter when someone needs somewhere immediate and safe to go
Attend court hearings to provide support during protective order processes
Connect survivors with trauma-informed therapists for their mental health needs
Help coordinate access to housing programs, financial resources, or employment services
Offer emotional support and consistent follow-up, helping survivors rebuild confidence and a sense of control
While every survivor’s situation looks different, every caseworker’s goal remains the same: to help survivors identify options, understand their rights, and move forward in ways that feel right to them.
A Model Built on Availability and Accessibility
In the past, caseworkers at CAPSA were often described by specific specialties. While internal funding sources still shape some of our programs, we no longer assign clients to caseworkers based on specialty. Instead, survivors are connected to the first available caseworker within the appropriate program, whether that’s housing, shelter, or social services.
This approach removes unnecessary barriers and ensures survivors receive help quickly. Most importantly, it reinforces that no matter what someone is facing, any CAPSA caseworker is fully trained and prepared to offer support.
This also reflects how caseworkers approach their work: with adaptability, shared knowledge, and teamwork. Caseworkers collaborate constantly, learning from one another and ensuring clients get comprehensive, coordinated care.
Going Above and Beyond — Without Overstepping Survivor Agency
CAPSA caseworkers consistently go beyond what most people imagine an advocate does. If an abuser is monitoring a survivor’s movements, caseworkers may meet at a workplace or other neutral location. They make dozens of calls to help secure resources such as housing, legal support, childcare, transportation, or medical care.
They also complete extensive training in trauma-informed practices, not just in theory, but in how to apply those principles in real moments of crisis and healing.
But one of the most impactful parts of their work is this: Caseworkers make sure survivors know they have choices.
After long periods of control, manipulation, or isolation, having someone affirm your agency can be transformative. Caseworkers provide information, options, and support, but it is always the survivor who makes the decisions.
Hope, Healing, and Empowerment
For many survivors, reaching out to CAPSA can feel like the hardest step. But once they do, a caseworker is there to walk alongside them. Through crisis, through transition, and through rebuilding.
Caseworkers provide connection.
They provide stability.
They provide a nonjudgmental space to process fear, make plans, and reclaim control.
Every survivor’s success comes from their courage and choices. Caseworkers ensure they don’t have to navigate those choices alone.
How to Get Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, CAPSA offers free and confidential services to anyone in need. Caseworkers are always available for consultations to help you understand your options and access support.
Visit capsa.org to learn more or call our 24/7 Support Line:
Utah: 435-753-2500
Idaho: 208-540-8536
You are not alone. CAPSA is here to walk beside you every step of the way.
November Newsletter