Community Alliance Against Family Abuse CAAFA

CAAFA's mission is to empower individuals, families and communities to be free from abuse through collaboration, prevention, awareness and support. Our vision is loving, healthy, happy families and communities.

CAAFA's current programs include:

* CRISIS SHELTER: A safe, secure and confidential 16-bed home-like shelter for adults and children affected by domestic and sexual violence while they recover from emotional, physical, and financial abuse.

* ADVOCACY: Trained advocates available to assist those affected by domestic and sexual abuse with identifying and addressing their needs. Advocates work with individuals and families to create safety plans and set goals to create self-sufficient lives, free of abuse.

*LAY LEGAL ADVOCACY: Legal advocates offer help in finding solutions to legal concerns, assistance filling out forms, court accompaniment, safety planning, and information and referral. Legal advocates are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice; however, advocates are able to provide information and explain options and rights within all aspects of the legal system.

*SUPPORT GROUPS: Weekly support groups, facilitated by a trained, certified advocate. The support groups empower individuals and their families, offering opportunities to share experiences, gain perspective and support, and receive education on DV and SV.

* EMPOWERMENT SESSIONS: One-on-one interaction with a trained counselor. Empowerment sessions provide individualized support, affirmation, validation, information, and education regarding domestic and sexual abuse.

* CRISIS LINE: A toll-free crisis line staffed by trained advocates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Advocates provide information, referrals, support and assistance.

* OUTREACH & EDUCATION: Presentations, literature and community booths to educate and increase community awareness of domestic and sexual violence.

* CAAFA SAFE HOME NETWORK: Once every quarter CAAFA hosts an informational meeting for community members and local organizations covering a topic related to domestic violence and/ or sexual assault awareness, safety or prevention.

* MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT: CAAFA works with the Arizona National Guard to provide advocacy services to victims of sexual assault in the military.

* PREA ADVOCACY: CAAFA works with victims of prison rape in the Florence and Eyman prison complexes to provide support after an incident of prison rape.

* TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Provides support to foreign victims of sex trafficking who are navigating the T-visa process.

Testimonials

As the transport van turned into the driveway of CAAFA's unmarked, gated crisis shelter, Vanessa felt nervous and hopeful at the same time. She fidgeted with the backpack on her lap, which held the only belongings she grabbed before fleeing her home. She opened the van's sliding door and hobbled out, mindful not to bump her leg-the one wrapped in a walking brace, still healing after being broken by her abuser. With both feet on the ground, Vanessa was ready to take the first steps on her journey toward a new life.

Those first steps were difficult. At 36 years old, Vanessa had experienced years of domestic violence and developed unhealthy coping mechanisms. She used methamphetamines, and though CAAFA's shelter has only four rules, she struggled to abide by one of them-not to bring drugs or paraphernalia onto the shelter grounds. She found it difficult to trust people, and was often in the middle of interpersonal conflicts.

For two months, CAAFA's advocates worked to establish trust with Vanessa. Then they engaged her in a difficult conversation. If she truly wanted to change her life, they explained, now is the time. She had the entire CAAFA advocacy team ready to help if she was willing to accept it.

That day, Vanessa quit using meth. The following day, with the help of CAAFA's advocates, she began searching for a job and researching options to re-enroll in her college classes. Every day, she made the conscious decision to not engage in conflict, and develop positive, healthy relationships with those around her. She partnered with CAAFA's legal advocate to obtain an Order of Protection from her abuser.

In short, Vanessa thrived. With a new job and re-enrolled in college, she was ready to tackle the biggest obstacle yet: Reconnecting with her teenage daughter, who was living out of state with Vanessa's mom. CAAFA advocates supported her as she confronted the reality of her broken relationships, and helped her explore ways to mend them. Vanessa began calling her daughter regularly. With each conversation, she demonstrated to her daughter that she was ready to build a strong, loving relationship with her.

Her daughter was thrilled to reconnect with her mom, and she flew to Arizona to stay with her at CAAFA's shelter for the few remaining weeks. Together, they teamed with CAAFA's advocates to find a new home for their new life. They invited Vanessa's mom to join them, and she happily agreed...