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
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
