Profile: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition (DVSAC)

Visit: http://www.dvsac.org/

Mission:
DVSAC’s mission is to work with community partners to offer resources for building healthy relationships and for healing the effects of interpersonal violence.

Founded: 1978

Purpose:
To end domestic violence and sexual assault

Funding:
Government grants, community foundations and private donors

Clients Served: 2500

How CNL has helped our Organization:
Recently I accepted the position of Executive Director at DVSAC. The CNL seminar series of Fund Development began about the same time as I. I am so thankful that I enrolled in the seminar series. It has been invaluable to me in my position of casting vision for the organization. With instability of the government funds DVSAC has relied upon for so many years, it became apparent that we must diversify our funding in order to continue to serve our community well.

 

Niko Johnson, Executive Director

Through the seminar series I not only gained much insight into fund development, but caught the vision of re-engaging this amazing community with the work DVSAC continues to do. It was not just about finding more money, it was, more importantly, about partnering with our community to end domestic violence and sexual assault together.

DVSAC Success Story:
For over 32 years DVSAC has served domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and their families through crisis intervention services as well as prevention services. All our services are free and confidential, so the following story encapsulates a part of what we see every day.

Caroline had been thinking about leaving her abusive husband for many months. For years she had endured name calling, being told she was “stupid” or “not good enough.” She had begun to see the effect of the abuse she endured in her 2 young boys and when one night it turned physical she knew it was time. She walked into the DVSAC Client Service Center the next day not knowing what to expect and what she received was compassion, understanding and more then anything else the advocate she spoke to believed her. While she did not leave her home that day, she did develop a safety plan in case she did need to leave quickly. She began to attend support group and her boys attended the children’s group. She gained strength through telling her story and hearing the experiences of others, realizing for the first time she was not the only one who was in an abusive relationship, it happens to so many. Working closely with a counselor and advocate she was able to prepare physically, emotionally and with good resources to escape the abuse she endured at her husband’s hands. Through resource and referral, education and support, Caroline and her boys are living violence free lives. It is not easy all the time, but they are safe and healing from the effects of domestic violence. And it is our honor to stand with her and her boys and support them.

There are many services that DVSAC offers our community, a 24-hour Crisis Line 530-272-3467, Safe Housing, Crisis Counseling and Intervention, Advocacy and Accompaniment, Information and Referral and Prevention and Outreach. All services are free and confidential. If you or someone you know needs help, please call 530-272-3467.