Today CAPSA, The Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation and Altabank planned on hosting a CELEBRATION and ANNOUNCEMENT media event. Although we had to cancel this event due to COVID-19, we still wanted to share the news and celebrate at a distance.
SAFE HOMES – CAPSA’S HOUSING PROGRAM
For individuals and families escaping abuse, a safe home is important to the healing process; this is why CAPSA offers multiple housing programs for our clients. The primary program combines rent subsidies with educational workgroups and case management. Families find housing in our community and are able to remain in this program for up to two years as they work towards independence.
Many clients may not qualify for community based housing because of lack of job history, credit damage by abuse or other reasons; therefore, in 2015, CAPSA built Independence Place, a nine home neighborhood. This is the only neighborhood owned by a nonprofit domestic violence service center in Utah. This neighborhood provides a safety net for families who struggle to secure housing. Families in Independence Place participate in the same transitional housing program and can also stay in these homes for up to two years.
CELEBRATION – HOME AND FAMILY SPONSORS
CAPSA’s transitional housing program averages over 30 families – the average annual rent subsidies are $6,000 per family per year. Working with Altabank, CAPSA created a home and family sponsorship program in which organizations and donors sponsor a home and family by covering this annual housing cost.
Altabank was our first sponsor and their vision has led to the following sponsors:
We want to thank all of our sponsors for their support of CAPSA and Safe Homes.
When we started this program, our goal was to obtain nine sponsors; we reached that goal earlier this year. This program now generates more than $50,000 per year supporting CAPSA’s housing program and other core services.
Although you may have already seen the media’s coverage on the opening of the fourplex, we had planned to announce it at this event. This fourplex is CAPSA’s newest extension to our transitional housing program.
The Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation purchased a fourplex earlier this year for CAPSA’s exclusive use for our transitional housing program. The property was in need of major repairs, so the Real Salt Lake (RSL) Foundation donated $60,000 to completely renovate these homes. They were scheduled to be completed in late April.
However, due to the COVID-19 public crisis, CAPSA needed more emergency shelter space to accommodate the social distancing precautions and increased demand for shelter. In response to the crisis concerns, the RSL Foundation worked with the contractors on this project to finalize and open these units almost a month early.
During this crisis, CAPSA will utilize these units for a combination of emergency shelter and transitional housing.
Lastly, CAPSA is excited to announce that we are in the process of building a second neighborhood called Independence Way. We plan to finish this project later this year.
The need for affordable housing is essential in helping our clients. CAPSA had the opportunity to purchase a planned neighborhood development which includes an existing triplex and five building lots. The total cost for this project is $1.8 million. We are excited to report that this project is 100 percent funded.
We want to highlight the major contributors to this project:
We also had several individual donors that contributed to Independence Way.
Thank you to everyone who supported this project to ensure safe homes for our clients.
We wish we could have shared and celebrated the announcements of these amazing projects with you in person. It is only because of your support that we’re able to accomplish this work – thank you!
https://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Featured-Image2b.jpg4611100Alyna Ohlinghttps://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/capsaLogo.pngAlyna Ohling2020-04-05 07:36:182023-05-26 12:15:15Housing CELEBRATION and ANNOUNCEMENT
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, when we as a community and as a nation take time to learn and better understand the problem of sexual assault and how we can make our communities safer.
One of the best things all of us can do for survivors is to take the time to learn what services are available for them and understand how to help. So, if someone has been raped or sexually assaulted, here are some of CAPSA’s services which would likely be helpful.
CAPSA offers services for survivors of rape and sexual assault. All CAPSA’s services are free, confidential, and designed to support survivors as they overcome the emotional, physical, and economic barriers to healing.
Sexual Assault Response Team
CAPSA’s Sexual Assault Response Team is a team of Advocates, available 24-hours a day for survivors of sexual assault and rape receiving a sexual assault forensic exam at the Cache Valley Hospital. Response Team Advocates ensure the process runs smooth and keeps the needs of the survivor at the forefront.
Assistance Filing for Protective Orders
CAPSA’s Advocates provide assistance to survivors wishing to file for a Protective Order, a useful tool for ensuring safety. Protective Orders provide a legal defense and require abusers maintain distance.
Therapy
CAPSA provides therapy for survivors of sexual assault and rape to ensure they have the tools and support to overcome the emotional stress of trauma. CAPSA’s Therapy has no time constraints, meaning whether you experienced your abuse last week or as a child, the service is available.
Therapy is also available for secondary survivors of rape and sexual assault, because taking care of someone in crisis is not easy and can be emotionally taxing for those providing support as well.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month provides an opportunity to spread awareness and ensure we as a community are meeting the needs of survivors. Particularly in times of crisis, it is good and necessary for communities to pull together and know how to protect and support one another.
If you have experienced rape or sexual assault, or if you are struggling to support someone who has, you are not alone. Call CAPSA at 435-753-2500 to find out how we can help.
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:
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
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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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CAPSA’s Clinical Therapy is offered for immediate and secondary survivors of abuse and sexual assault. This service is free and confidential, and allows CAPSA to support the emotional needs of survivors alongside their other needs.
Therapy is Valuable to CAPSA’s Clients
Often, survivors of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault – traumatic events which can leave victims in crisis – struggle with how to respond. Common emotional and psychological responses such as guilt, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, or depression, leave survivors struggling and often without proper support.
CAPSA’s Therapists help survivors cope with these trauma-responses, help them overcome and build emotional resilience against stress. Fundamentally, our Therapists help survivors realize they are not crazy for struggling, for being anxious or depressed, and that the abuse was not their fault. No one deserves to be abused.
CAPSA’s Therapy Center
CAPSA Offers Multiple Types of Therapy
Every instance of domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape is unique, and every person responds differently to different treatments. CAPSA’s Therapists are trauma-informed, and understand the unique challenges associated with abuse. They are certified in multiple forms of therapy in order to offer the best support for each client. CAPSA runs clinics providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
These clinical options ensure survivors receive the treatment they need in a way that will be beneficial, that does not re-traumatize, and helps them move forward.
CAPSA’s Therapy Service is Always Free
All of CAPSA’s services are FREE and confidential, including therapy. The emotional impact of abuse is easy to neglect when you still need somewhere to live, but healing means meeting both needs.
CAPSA’s Therapy service is available to anyone who needs help overcoming the effects of abuse. Regardless of whether the abuse is recent, occurred when you were young, or you are struggling to support a loved one recovering from abuse.
If you or someone you love has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or rape, CAPSA can help. Please, call our Support Line at 435-753-2500 to find out how.
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Holidays typically mean time with family, with people we love and who love us too. These much-needed breaks provide a time to rest and recharge as you enjoy spending time with loved ones. However, sometimes this means helping loved ones who are dealing with abuse.
If your loved one tells you they are experiencing abuse, start by believing. If they come to you it is because they trust you and feel safe with you, the best thing you can do is to respect that.
Here are some tips for how to be supportive of loved ones being abused.
Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject. Talk to your friend or relative. Ask where they would feel comfortable talking, keeping in mind privacy and safe locations.
Acknowledge their situation. Let the person know it is not their fault. The responsibility lies with the person who has hurt them. Let them know that it is okay to feel hurt, sad, humiliated, etc. Give them a chance to vent their feelings.
Validate their experience. Let them know that you are concerned for their physical and emotional safety and if they have children, that you are concerned for their children as well.
Let them know there is help available. Encourage them to call CAPSA to discuss a safety plan and learn about community resources.
Respect their choices. Survivors of domestic violence may return to the abusive relationship many times. Do not abandon them (even when it is discouraging). Never let them believe that they have lost their chance to come to you again, if needed.
Caring for a family member in these situations is never easy, but remember that you are not alone. CAPSA can help you and your loved ones plan for safety and get connected to helpful resources.
Call our Support Line at 435-753-2500 to find out how CAPSA can help.
https://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Holiday-Blog-Post.jpg6101600Alyna Ohlinghttps://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/capsaLogo.pngAlyna Ohling2019-12-18 12:25:302023-05-26 12:16:43Holidays – Supporting a family or friend experiencing domestic violence
CAPSA’s Emergency Shelter provides a safe place for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape to escape and begin healing. The Shelter is designed as a home and clients stay for an average of 30 days. It has a large kitchen stocked, multiple living rooms and 8 private, family-size bedrooms (32 beds).
It is set up to ensure safety and meet basic needs of individuals and families. As clients begin a new life without abuse, survivors work with Shelter Caseworkers to identify and develop plans to address the specific challenges in their lives.
Zero Turn-A-Way Program
CAPSA developed the Zero Turn-A-Way program to ensure there is always a safe place for qualified clients – individuals and families living in Cache Valley and the Bear Lake area who are fleeing domestic violence or displaced because of rape or stalking.
If you are living in Cache Valley or the Bear Lake area and need help escaping from an abusive relationship, CAPSA can help you. You do not have to worry that there will not be space for you, or that you will not be believed.
We believe you.
If you need help escaping an abusive relationship, call CAPSA’s Support Line at 435-753-2500 to find out how we can help.
Supporting Zero Turn-A-Way
CAPSA’s Zero Turn-A-Way program is the first of its kind in Utah. It is funded through payroll deductions by local organizations (currently Malouf and Stander) who support and believe in CAPSA’s mission. These businesses have allowed CAPSA to present to their employees who then donate a small amount each pay check. These donations ensure CAPSA has room in our shelter or helps CAPSA find creative, safe, and short-term options while helping develop more permanent plans.
Please contact James Boyd at 435-753-2500 if your business is interested in payroll deduction.
https://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Featured-Image.jpg310800Alyna Ohlinghttps://www.capsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/capsaLogo.pngAlyna Ohling2019-11-19 09:56:242023-05-26 12:17:19CAPSA’s Shelter is a Zero Turn A Way Shelter
CAPSA’s Emergency Shelter provides a safe place for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape to escape and begin healing. The Shelter provides a foundation for survivors to build from; it is set up to ensure safety and meet basic needs of individuals and families.
The Shelter is designed as a home. It has a large kitchen stocked with essentials where residents can cook for themselves and their families, laundry rooms for clothing, and private, family-size bedrooms. Beds are furnished with Malouf sheets and pillows and are finished with handmade quilts.
When survivors arrive at Shelter they are coming from traumatic situations and need time to cope and adapt before moving forward. CAPSA’s Advocates are trauma informed, and work with each survivor to ensure safety, help file Protective Orders when needed, and develop an action plan for overcoming their specific obstacles.
Clients can leave when they need for work, to take their kids to school, run errands, and conduct their lives, knowing they have a safe home to return to.
Shelter Clients
The Emergency Shelter is a resource for people in Cache Valley and the Bear Lake area fleeing abusive situations. Most who use it are fleeing serious danger, but it is open to people displaced due to domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape.
The Shelter is a resource for people who need it, not a requirement for enrolling in services. Survivors should call CAPSA’s Support Line to discuss safety plans and see what CAPSA can offer them.
Often, survivors arrive lacking basic necessities such as shoes or winter clothes, having fled dangerous situations without time to prepare. When they make it to CAPSA, we help provide what they need.
How Long Can I Stay in the Shelter?
CAPSA works to create long-term solutions for Shelter clients in as short a time as possible. That means completing action plan items, finding jobs, housing, food stamps, etc., so that clients can be independent and begin rebuilding their lives. Sometimes this takes a while, and sometimes safety remains an issue through a client’s stay in Shelter.
CAPSA works with you to accommodate for your needs. We will not abandon you to an abuser or the street because your new house is not ready, or your job does not start until next month. We start by believing, and we continue by listening.
Please, call CAPSA’s Support Line at 435-753-2500 if you are fleeing abuse and need help for you or your children.
CAPSA provides support services for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual abuse, or rape.
A core service is our 24-hour Support Phone Line for those who have experienced abuse or are supporting a friend or loved one.
What is the purpose of the Support Line?
CAPSA’s 24-hour Support Phone Line is answered by trained Advocates who are there to provide information and connect individuals with support services.
The Support Line is confidential. This means your information is not given to parents, family, loved ones, police, or anyone else without your consent. You are free to share what you feel comfortable with, ask questions, and get answers without being required to commit to proceeding further. The Support Line is there for support, does not require you to start any service with CAPSA.
NOTE: CAPSA is required to report instances involving elderly adult abuse or child abuse.
CAPSA can help if you are calling because you need a safe place to escape abuse, or need support helping a friend who has experienced sexual assault or domestic violence.
Who Works the Support Line?
The Support Line is answered by trained CAPSA employees who are trauma-informed and start by believing. This means they are prepared to listen to your needs and understand how best to assist, whatever the situation may be.
Our Advocates specialize in dealing with diverse needs and provide access to specific resources to help you overcome the challenges you are facing.
Who the Support Line is Designed to Help?
The Support Line is designed to be a resource for everyone in the community. Individuals can reach out for themselves or loved ones, and other organizations often refer clients through it. Police who respond to domestic violence calls use it to get support, ask questions and connect those who need help, directly to CAPSA.
If you are fleeing sexual assault or domestic violence and need support, or you are supporting a friend or loved one recovering from it and want to know how you can best help them, please call CAPSA’s Support Line at 435-753-2500.
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CAPSA has been awarded two grants from the Utah Office for Victims of Crime to bring awareness to CAPSA’s domestic violence, sexual assault and rape support services
CAPSA is a nonprofit domestic violence, sexual assault and rape recovery center serving Cache and Rich Counties. Last year CAPSA served 1,551 women, men, and children and provided community education to 30,533 participants. CAPSA’s support services includes 24-hour support phone line, emergency shelter, casework, rape exam advocacy, prevention education, and clinical therapy. All of CAPSA’s services are FREE and confidential.
“CAPSA is the local expert on safely escaping and starting a new life after domestic violence, picking up the pieces after rape, and healing from associated trauma from both. When someone reaches out to CAPSA, they can expect to speak to an expert who believes, does not judge, and will not disclose what is shared,” stated Jill Anderson Executive Director of CAPSA. “The individual is in control during the whole process. They determine the direction they want to take and CAPSA then helps them safely and successfully reach their goals.”
CAPSA has been awarded two grants from Utah Office for Victims of Crime (UOVC), Department of Justice – one provides funds for services awareness for sexual assault and rape support services and the second to fund service awareness for domestic violence support services. These funds allow CAPSA to run a multichannel awareness campaign utilizing radio, print, social media and other channels over the next 10 months.
Two examples of marketing images for the KNOW campaign
“There is a major need for service awareness. When someone needs CAPSA, it is often life or death. Yet, if someone does not feel their abuse qualifies, misunderstand CAPSA’s services or sadly does not know CAPSA exists, then they will not call CAPSA and take the first step to safety and healing,” stated James Boyd Development Director for CAPSA. “With this in mind, CAPSA will launch the Know Campaign.”
The KNOW Campaign, developed by CAPSA, is designed to empower survivors of sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence while bringing awareness to the breadth of services CAPSA offers. Messages include Know Peace, Know Hope, Know Happiness, Know your Choices, Know your Voice and Know CAPSA.
One of four launch posters being displayed in businesses and public spaces beginning 9/25/19
“Victims of sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence often feel shame and isolation. These feelings mean many suffer alone and do not receive help,” stated Boyd. “This campaign is designed to show these individuals they are not alone, help is available, and there is a future where they will be able to again KNOW PEACE. We know bringing awareness to CAPSA services will result in more people seeking support, safety, and healing.”
CAPSA has developed the KNOW Campaign and is responsible for messaging and content.
“We are grateful to the Utah Office for Victims of Crime for their recognition of the need for service awareness and willingness to fund it,” stated Anderson. “There are so many suffering and this campaign will let them KNOW there is HOPE.”
About CAPSA
CAPSA is the state and federally recognized domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and rape crisis and recovery center for Cache and Rich counties. Founded in 1976 on the campus of USU as a rape resource, CAPSA has expanded to provide emergency shelter, clinical therapy, community education, casework, and other resources to those affected by abuse. Anyone who feels unsafe at home or within the confines of a relationship can call CAPSA’s 24-hour support phone line at 435-753-2500. A person in immediate danger should call 911.
# # #
Contact: James Boyd, Development Director for CAPSA, james@capsa.org, 435-760-5277 (cell)
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Housing CELEBRATION and ANNOUNCEMENT
Today CAPSA, The Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation and Altabank planned on hosting a CELEBRATION and ANNOUNCEMENT media event. Although we had to cancel this event due to COVID-19, we still wanted to share the news and celebrate at a distance.
SAFE HOMES – CAPSA’S HOUSING PROGRAM
For individuals and families escaping abuse, a safe home is important to the healing process; this is why CAPSA offers multiple housing programs for our clients. The primary program combines rent subsidies with educational workgroups and case management. Families find housing in our community and are able to remain in this program for up to two years as they work towards independence.
Many clients may not qualify for community based housing because of lack of job history, credit damage by abuse or other reasons; therefore, in 2015, CAPSA built Independence Place, a nine home neighborhood. This is the only neighborhood owned by a nonprofit domestic violence service center in Utah. This neighborhood provides a safety net for families who struggle to secure housing. Families in Independence Place participate in the same transitional housing program and can also stay in these homes for up to two years.
CELEBRATION – HOME AND FAMILY SPONSORS
CAPSA’s transitional housing program averages over 30 families – the average annual rent subsidies are $6,000 per family per year. Working with Altabank, CAPSA created a home and family sponsorship program in which organizations and donors sponsor a home and family by covering this annual housing cost.
Altabank was our first sponsor and their vision has led to the following sponsors:
We want to thank all of our sponsors for their support of CAPSA and Safe Homes.
When we started this program, our goal was to obtain nine sponsors; we reached that goal earlier this year. This program now generates more than $50,000 per year supporting CAPSA’s housing program and other core services.
You can learn more about home sponsorship at: https://www.capsa.org/home-sponsor
ANNOUNCEMENT – FOURPLEX
Although you may have already seen the media’s coverage on the opening of the fourplex, we had planned to announce it at this event. This fourplex is CAPSA’s newest extension to our transitional housing program.
The Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation purchased a fourplex earlier this year for CAPSA’s exclusive use for our transitional housing program. The property was in need of major repairs, so the Real Salt Lake (RSL) Foundation donated $60,000 to completely renovate these homes. They were scheduled to be completed in late April.
However, due to the COVID-19 public crisis, CAPSA needed more emergency shelter space to accommodate the social distancing precautions and increased demand for shelter. In response to the crisis concerns, the RSL Foundation worked with the contractors on this project to finalize and open these units almost a month early.
During this crisis, CAPSA will utilize these units for a combination of emergency shelter and transitional housing.
You can read more from:
Cache Valley Daily | HJ NEWS | KSL | ABC 4 | SL Tribune
Video of the progress
ANNOUNCEMENT – INDEPENDENCE WAY
Lastly, CAPSA is excited to announce that we are in the process of building a second neighborhood called Independence Way. We plan to finish this project later this year.
The need for affordable housing is essential in helping our clients. CAPSA had the opportunity to purchase a planned neighborhood development which includes an existing triplex and five building lots. The total cost for this project is $1.8 million. We are excited to report that this project is 100 percent funded.
We want to highlight the major contributors to this project:
We also had several individual donors that contributed to Independence Way.
Thank you to everyone who supported this project to ensure safe homes for our clients.
These homes will also be available for sponsorship. Learn more at: https://www.capsa.org/home-sponsor
We wish we could have shared and celebrated the announcements of these amazing projects with you in person. It is only because of your support that we’re able to accomplish this work – thank you!
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, when we as a community and as a nation take time to learn and better understand the problem of sexual assault and how we can make our communities safer.
One of the best things all of us can do for survivors is to take the time to learn what services are available for them and understand how to help. So, if someone has been raped or sexually assaulted, here are some of CAPSA’s services which would likely be helpful.
CAPSA offers services for survivors of rape and sexual assault. All CAPSA’s services are free, confidential, and designed to support survivors as they overcome the emotional, physical, and economic barriers to healing.
Sexual Assault Response Team
CAPSA’s Sexual Assault Response Team is a team of Advocates, available 24-hours a day for survivors of sexual assault and rape receiving a sexual assault forensic exam at the Cache Valley Hospital. Response Team Advocates ensure the process runs smooth and keeps the needs of the survivor at the forefront.
Assistance Filing for Protective Orders
CAPSA’s Advocates provide assistance to survivors wishing to file for a Protective Order, a useful tool for ensuring safety. Protective Orders provide a legal defense and require abusers maintain distance.
Therapy
CAPSA provides therapy for survivors of sexual assault and rape to ensure they have the tools and support to overcome the emotional stress of trauma. CAPSA’s Therapy has no time constraints, meaning whether you experienced your abuse last week or as a child, the service is available.
Therapy is also available for secondary survivors of rape and sexual assault, because taking care of someone in crisis is not easy and can be emotionally taxing for those providing support as well.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month provides an opportunity to spread awareness and ensure we as a community are meeting the needs of survivors. Particularly in times of crisis, it is good and necessary for communities to pull together and know how to protect and support one another.
If you have experienced rape or sexual assault, or if you are struggling to support someone who has, you are not alone. Call CAPSA at 435-753-2500 to find out how we can help.
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
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 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 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 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.
CAPSA’s Therapy Service
CAPSA’s Clinical Therapy is offered for immediate and secondary survivors of abuse and sexual assault. This service is free and confidential, and allows CAPSA to support the emotional needs of survivors alongside their other needs.
Therapy is Valuable to CAPSA’s Clients
Often, survivors of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault – traumatic events which can leave victims in crisis – struggle with how to respond. Common emotional and psychological responses such as guilt, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, or depression, leave survivors struggling and often without proper support.
CAPSA’s Therapists help survivors cope with these trauma-responses, help them overcome and build emotional resilience against stress. Fundamentally, our Therapists help survivors realize they are not crazy for struggling, for being anxious or depressed, and that the abuse was not their fault. No one deserves to be abused.
CAPSA’s Therapy Center
CAPSA Offers Multiple Types of Therapy
Every instance of domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape is unique, and every person responds differently to different treatments. CAPSA’s Therapists are trauma-informed, and understand the unique challenges associated with abuse. They are certified in multiple forms of therapy in order to offer the best support for each client. CAPSA runs clinics providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
These clinical options ensure survivors receive the treatment they need in a way that will be beneficial, that does not re-traumatize, and helps them move forward.
CAPSA’s Therapy Service is Always Free
All of CAPSA’s services are FREE and confidential, including therapy. The emotional impact of abuse is easy to neglect when you still need somewhere to live, but healing means meeting both needs.
CAPSA’s Therapy service is available to anyone who needs help overcoming the effects of abuse. Regardless of whether the abuse is recent, occurred when you were young, or you are struggling to support a loved one recovering from abuse.
If you or someone you love has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or rape, CAPSA can help. Please, call our Support Line at 435-753-2500 to find out how.
Holidays – Supporting a family or friend experiencing domestic violence
Holidays typically mean time with family, with people we love and who love us too. These much-needed breaks provide a time to rest and recharge as you enjoy spending time with loved ones. However, sometimes this means helping loved ones who are dealing with abuse.
If your loved one tells you they are experiencing abuse, start by believing. If they come to you it is because they trust you and feel safe with you, the best thing you can do is to respect that.
Here are some tips for how to be supportive of loved ones being abused.
Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject. Talk to your friend or relative. Ask where they would feel comfortable talking, keeping in mind privacy and safe locations.
Acknowledge their situation. Let the person know it is not their fault. The responsibility lies with the person who has hurt them. Let them know that it is okay to feel hurt, sad, humiliated, etc. Give them a chance to vent their feelings.
Validate their experience. Let them know that you are concerned for their physical and emotional safety and if they have children, that you are concerned for their children as well.
Let them know there is help available. Encourage them to call CAPSA to discuss a safety plan and learn about community resources.
Respect their choices. Survivors of domestic violence may return to the abusive relationship many times. Do not abandon them (even when it is discouraging). Never let them believe that they have lost their chance to come to you again, if needed.
Caring for a family member in these situations is never easy, but remember that you are not alone. CAPSA can help you and your loved ones plan for safety and get connected to helpful resources.
Call our Support Line at 435-753-2500 to find out how CAPSA can help.
CAPSA’s Shelter is a Zero Turn A Way Shelter
CAPSA’s Emergency Shelter provides a safe place for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape to escape and begin healing. The Shelter is designed as a home and clients stay for an average of 30 days. It has a large kitchen stocked, multiple living rooms and 8 private, family-size bedrooms (32 beds).
It is set up to ensure safety and meet basic needs of individuals and families. As clients begin a new life without abuse, survivors work with Shelter Caseworkers to identify and develop plans to address the specific challenges in their lives.
CAPSA developed the Zero Turn-A-Way program to ensure there is always a safe place for qualified clients – individuals and families living in Cache Valley and the Bear Lake area who are fleeing domestic violence or displaced because of rape or stalking.
If you are living in Cache Valley or the Bear Lake area and need help escaping from an abusive relationship, CAPSA can help you. You do not have to worry that there will not be space for you, or that you will not be believed.
We believe you.
If you need help escaping an abusive relationship, call CAPSA’s Support Line at 435-753-2500 to find out how we can help.
Supporting Zero Turn-A-Way
CAPSA’s Zero Turn-A-Way program is the first of its kind in Utah. It is funded through payroll deductions by local organizations (currently Malouf and Stander) who support and believe in CAPSA’s mission. These businesses have allowed CAPSA to present to their employees who then donate a small amount each pay check. These donations ensure CAPSA has room in our shelter or helps CAPSA find creative, safe, and short-term options while helping develop more permanent plans.
Please contact James Boyd at 435-753-2500 if your business is interested in payroll deduction.
CAPSA’s Emergency Shelter
The Shelter is a Confidential and Free Service
CAPSA’s Emergency Shelter provides a safe place for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape to escape and begin healing. The Shelter provides a foundation for survivors to build from; it is set up to ensure safety and meet basic needs of individuals and families.
When survivors arrive at Shelter they are coming from traumatic situations and need time to cope and adapt before moving forward. CAPSA’s Advocates are trauma informed, and work with each survivor to ensure safety, help file Protective Orders when needed, and develop an action plan for overcoming their specific obstacles.
Clients can leave when they need for work, to take their kids to school, run errands, and conduct their lives, knowing they have a safe home to return to.
Shelter Clients
The Emergency Shelter is a resource for people in Cache Valley and the Bear Lake area fleeing abusive situations. Most who use it are fleeing serious danger, but it is open to people displaced due to domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape.
The Shelter is a resource for people who need it, not a requirement for enrolling in services. Survivors should call CAPSA’s Support Line to discuss safety plans and see what CAPSA can offer them.
Often, survivors arrive lacking basic necessities such as shoes or winter clothes, having fled dangerous situations without time to prepare. When they make it to CAPSA, we help provide what they need.
How Long Can I Stay in the Shelter?
CAPSA works with you to accommodate for your needs. We will not abandon you to an abuser or the street because your new house is not ready, or your job does not start until next month. We start by believing, and we continue by listening.
Please, call CAPSA’s Support Line at 435-753-2500 if you are fleeing abuse and need help for you or your children.
Support Phone Line
CAPSA provides support services for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual abuse, or rape.
A core service is our 24-hour Support Phone Line for those who have experienced abuse or are supporting a friend or loved one.
What is the purpose of the Support Line?
CAPSA’s 24-hour Support Phone Line is answered by trained Advocates who are there to provide information and connect individuals with support services.
The Support Line is confidential. This means your information is not given to parents, family, loved ones, police, or anyone else without your consent. You are free to share what you feel comfortable with, ask questions, and get answers without being required to commit to proceeding further. The Support Line is there for support, does not require you to start any service with CAPSA.
NOTE: CAPSA is required to report instances involving elderly adult abuse or child abuse.
CAPSA can help if you are calling because you need a safe place to escape abuse, or need support helping a friend who has experienced sexual assault or domestic violence.
Who Works the Support Line?
The Support Line is answered by trained CAPSA employees who are trauma-informed and start by believing. This means they are prepared to listen to your needs and understand how best to assist, whatever the situation may be.
Our Advocates specialize in dealing with diverse needs and provide access to specific resources to help you overcome the challenges you are facing.
Who the Support Line is Designed to Help?
The Support Line is designed to be a resource for everyone in the community. Individuals can reach out for themselves or loved ones, and other organizations often refer clients through it. Police who respond to domestic violence calls use it to get support, ask questions and connect those who need help, directly to CAPSA.
If you are fleeing sexual assault or domestic violence and need support, or you are supporting a friend or loved one recovering from it and want to know how you can best help them, please call CAPSA’s Support Line at 435-753-2500.
Press Release – Funding for Service Awareness
CAPSA has been awarded two grants from the Utah Office for Victims of Crime to bring awareness to CAPSA’s domestic violence, sexual assault and rape support services
CAPSA is a nonprofit domestic violence, sexual assault and rape recovery center serving Cache and Rich Counties. Last year CAPSA served 1,551 women, men, and children and provided community education to 30,533 participants. CAPSA’s support services includes 24-hour support phone line, emergency shelter, casework, rape exam advocacy, prevention education, and clinical therapy. All of CAPSA’s services are FREE and confidential.
“CAPSA is the local expert on safely escaping and starting a new life after domestic violence, picking up the pieces after rape, and healing from associated trauma from both. When someone reaches out to CAPSA, they can expect to speak to an expert who believes, does not judge, and will not disclose what is shared,” stated Jill Anderson Executive Director of CAPSA. “The individual is in control during the whole process. They determine the direction they want to take and CAPSA then helps them safely and successfully reach their goals.”
CAPSA has been awarded two grants from Utah Office for Victims of Crime (UOVC), Department of Justice – one provides funds for services awareness for sexual assault and rape support services and the second to fund service awareness for domestic violence support services. These funds allow CAPSA to run a multichannel awareness campaign utilizing radio, print, social media and other channels over the next 10 months.
Two examples of marketing images for the KNOW campaign
“There is a major need for service awareness. When someone needs CAPSA, it is often life or death. Yet, if someone does not feel their abuse qualifies, misunderstand CAPSA’s services or sadly does not know CAPSA exists, then they will not call CAPSA and take the first step to safety and healing,” stated James Boyd Development Director for CAPSA. “With this in mind, CAPSA will launch the Know Campaign.”
The KNOW Campaign, developed by CAPSA, is designed to empower survivors of sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence while bringing awareness to the breadth of services CAPSA offers. Messages include Know Peace, Know Hope, Know Happiness, Know your Choices, Know your Voice and Know CAPSA.
One of four launch posters being displayed in businesses and public spaces beginning 9/25/19
“Victims of sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence often feel shame and isolation. These feelings mean many suffer alone and do not receive help,” stated Boyd. “This campaign is designed to show these individuals they are not alone, help is available, and there is a future where they will be able to again KNOW PEACE. We know bringing awareness to CAPSA services will result in more people seeking support, safety, and healing.”
CAPSA has developed the KNOW Campaign and is responsible for messaging and content.
“We are grateful to the Utah Office for Victims of Crime for their recognition of the need for service awareness and willingness to fund it,” stated Anderson. “There are so many suffering and this campaign will let them KNOW there is HOPE.”
About CAPSA
CAPSA is the state and federally recognized domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and rape crisis and recovery center for Cache and Rich counties. Founded in 1976 on the campus of USU as a rape resource, CAPSA has expanded to provide emergency shelter, clinical therapy, community education, casework, and other resources to those affected by abuse. Anyone who feels unsafe at home or within the confines of a relationship can call CAPSA’s 24-hour support phone line at 435-753-2500. A person in immediate danger should call 911.
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Contact: James Boyd, Development Director for CAPSA, james@capsa.org, 435-760-5277 (cell)