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2023 Annual Report

Dear Friends,

As we look back on the past year, we deepen our gratitude for our community of caring individuals and partners. Because of you, we have been able to keep hope and healing at the heart of what we do. Each survivor’s journey is unique, and your support ensures that we stay responsive to individual needs and to support their families.

This past year, we have focused on strengthening our programs, eliminating delays, and streamlining services to ensure that trauma-expert counselors are available when clients need them most. We have provided outreach and built partnerships to reach underrepresented communities and those disproportionately experiencing violence. Committed to promoting healthy relationships, Center for Community Solutions forged a partnership with High Tech High and San Diego LGBT Center to infuse prevention-based programming on middle and high school campuses. 

On behalf of all of us at Center for Community Solutions, thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to ensuring survivors have a safe place to heal from abuse. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing our vision for all people to live full, free, expressive and empowered lives in a safe, vibrant, healthy, and peaceful community.

Sincerely,

Cori Austin, CEO

&

Tracy Skaddan, Board President

Our Mission

It is the mission of Center for Community Solutions to end relationship and sexual violence by being a catalyst for caring communities and social justice.



Our Impact

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Some Highlights


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Hybrid Counseling Model is a Win for Clients

In-person therapy sessions were resumed in FY2023, the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The flexibility to attend either in-person or virtual therapy sessions has been a game-changer for CCS clients. For those who prefer the intimacy of an in-person session can attend therapy at a CCS office. Meanwhile, clients who have in-person barriers, such as lack of transportation or childcare, can join their session virtually via telehealth.


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Client Overcomes Barriers to a Restraining Order

Juanita (name changed), a Spanish-speaking CCS client, was abused physically, sexually, and emotionally by her ex-partner. She ended the relationship, but her ex continually stalked and harassed her, and she was afraid. Juanita wanted a restraining order but had challenges due to language and financial barriers. CCS’ bilingual staff provided Juanita with a safe and comfortable space to assess her legal and holistic needs in her native language. Juanita was granted a temporary DVRO, followed by a permanent restraining order protecting her from her ex-partner. Juanita was also connected to other CCS services, including counseling. Today Juanita is feeling hopeful and safe with legal and advocacy support from CCS.


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Prevention Education Team Gives a Voice to San Diego Youth

The Prevention Education and Advocacy team launched a new sexual violence prevention podcast called SD YOUth REALationships, led by a volunteer youth team in the Mid-City region of San Diego. Prior to the podcast launch, youth in City Heights were talking about ways their school policies and lack of prevention education led to many “toxic teen relationships.” They were eager to learn about healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries. The podcast team feels they are working to help change cultures not only at their schools, but also in their neighborhoods. One youth participant stated that “having adults support us with a way to use our voice to make change feels important and different.”

Volunteers


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Dedicated Volunteers Strengthen CCS

This year our volunteers shared 16,118 hours of support, dedication, and hope with survivors

Volunteer roles range from counseling trainees, sexual assault and housing advocates, attorneys, outreach and prevention, supporting community events and more. CCS is also supported by the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Hidden Valley House and Project Safehouse Auxiliaries.


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Survivors Helping Survivors

Faced with the trauma of being victimized by someone they trusted, Mary and LaDonna credit sexual assault emergency response advocates with changing the trajectory of their healing. As part of their personal paths, each became certified by CCS to support other survivors as volunteer sexual assault response team advocates (SARTs) and also create awareness through speaking events in our communities. FACT: SART volunteers are required to be trained in 66.5-hour certification course. After training, volunteers may provide hotline assistance and support during forensic exams.

2023 Financial Snapshot

Our financial health includes a commitment to diversified funding streams, strategic growth of philanthropic support, and responsive use of funds for crucial community needs.
CCS has a stable financial history that has allowed us to continue critical survivor services through every challenge that arises.
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Statement of Financial Position from Audited Financials FY23. Click here for the complete document.

Thank You to Our Funders & Donors

We are grateful to the many individuals, businesses, corporations, foundations, and organizations who make our work possible. This list reflects contributions from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

Join Our Mission! Support Survivors

There are many ways you can help advance our mission to end relationship violence and sexual assault. You can be there for San Diegans of all ages who are tragically impacted by unspeakable violence, and help change the trajectory of a survivor’s path to hope and healing.
Here’s how you can support survivors.
  • Make a financial or in-kind contribution
  • Honor CCS with a legacy gift
  • Sponsor or attend our special events, like our annual Tea & Tonic
  • Schedule an education program or workshop for your organization
  • Host a beneficiary event that raises funds and awareness
  • Recommend us for a grant or corporate gift
  • Volunteer your time

StartTheConvo

Start the Convo to raise awareness and end sexual assault. #StartTheConvo campaign is a call to action for every member of our community to give their support and #StartTheConvo around preventing intimate partner violence and sexual violence. We stand in solidarity with all survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. We all have a role in ending violence.

The highest incidence of rape affects mostly yong women between the ages of 16 and 24. Don’t be a bystander! It’s time to talk with your friends, family, and loved ones! Join us as we #StartTheConvo!