It’s time again to start planning our annual Taste ‘N Tell event scheduled this year for Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the Grand Marais Courtyard in Jennings.

Funds generated from this event go a long way in helping to support CADA and its mission.  In 2011, [...]]]> A Letter From Taste ‘N Tell

Dear Supporters and Friends of CADA,

It’s time again to start planning our annual Taste ‘N Tell event scheduled this year for Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the Grand Marais Courtyard in Jennings.

Funds generated from this event go a long way in helping to support CADA and its mission.  In 2011, CADA served over 600 women and children.  We provided shelter to 116 people and assisted 72 individuals in obtaining Temporary Restraining Orders.  Additionally, 24 CADA families and all in-house residents received Christmas gifts/toys (including 24 brand new bicycles!) as part of our Adopt-A- Family Christmas Program.

Please continue to dedicate your time, talent and treasure to this event by sponsoring or forming a Chef Team.  A sponsor/team application form is enclosed for your convenience.

Donations are also needed for the Live Auction, Silent Auction and Door/Chef prizes.  Tickets for the event remain at $25 per person and may be obtained at the following locations:

Jeff Davis Bank, 507 N. Main Street, Jennings 70546

Marceaux’s, 918 N. Lake Arthur Ave., Jennings, 70546

Mid South Bank, 1110 Main Street, Jennings 70546

Tupper Museum, 311 N. Main Street, Jennings 70546

CADA Office, 819 N. Church Street, Jennings 70546

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Judy DeBona

2012 Chairiperson

Taste ‘N Tell

According to a Violence Policy Center report, Louisiana ranks first in the nation in one-on-one homicides involving females. The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence has been conducting a Fatality Review for the past few years to determine how many women have died in Louisiana as a result of [...]]]> News From The Well 2012

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

According to a Violence Policy Center report, Louisiana ranks first in the nation in one-on-one homicides involving females. The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence has been conducting a Fatality Review for the past few years to determine how many women have died in Louisiana as a result of domestic violence. The study concluded 892 women have died as a direct result of domestic violence from 1997-2009. Statistics show that in Louisiana 2.53 women per 100,000 were slain by males. . .nearly double the national average. Also, 90 percent of those homicides are committed by someone the victim knows, and another 55 percent are committed by the victims’ current or former partner.

The Coalition’s recommendation to lower the domestic homicide rate is to include wider use of protection orders and batter intervention programs and stronger coordinated community response to the issue of domestic violence.

Social change must take place if domestic violence is ever going to be stopped. It is up to all of us to stand up and say enough is enough! I personally send a challenge to every man in our state to hold men accountable for domestic abuse. There is a movement going on across our country to do just that. Some of these men will be marching in the July 4th parade in Lake Charles this year. Join theml!

Copies of the full DVFR (domestic violence fatality review) report will be made available to elected officials throughout the state. The public can get a copy after June 30th by submitting a request to lcadvcoalition@yahoo.com.

Roxi Guidry, Executive Director

SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVOCATE/COMMUNITY EDUCATOR:

Since replacing Kathy Brown in July 2010 I have aggressively been out in the community making contacts to get everyone involved in our outreach programs. Here at CADA we are in the process of educating our community members as well as our law enforcement on steps to building our rural sexual assault program. I have been participating in numerous, ongoing trainings to help better serve our sexual assault victims and give them full advocacy support. I would like to also thank all of our supporters who donate their time,items,money,etc….we could not do it without your help!

Andrea Woodward, Community Educator / Sexual Assault Advocate

Last year ,in 2011, we assisted 637 survivors of domestic violence.. This is an increase of almost 43% over last year (377) and 2009 (375) and provided shelter for 103 persons for a total shelter nights stay of 1468 (number of residents x days stayed per month). We [...]]]> Jeff Davis Cada Executive Director’s yearly report 2011-2012

Shelter

Last year ,in 2011, we assisted 637 survivors of domestic violence.. This is an increase of almost 43% over last year (377) and 2009 (375) and provided shelter for 103 persons for a total shelter nights stay of 1468 (number of residents x days stayed per month). We performed 65 Temporary Restraining Orders from January through November 2011. Twenty-four families and all in-house residents have been adopted for our Adopt a Family for Christmas Program. This is an increase of over 50% compared to 13 families in 2010.

Staff

In July 2012,Kathy Brown was replaced as Community Educator/Sexual Assault Advocate by Andrea Woodward who has beedn with Cada since July 2011. Roxi Guidry , who has been our legal advocate, also replaced Sheila Babineaux as our new interim Executive Director.

Facility

We are currently working on obtaining grants to install a handicap ramp and other accommodations to help us facilitate our clients’ needs as they come in for services.

In Addition

• In October 2011,over $35,000 was raised by Taste n Tell. Over 300 persons attended.
• The Jeff Davis Domestic Violence Task Force continues to meet and is now in its third year.
• Sharon McMillin, joined our board…Polly Henry resigned as the Thomas family board representative and Marilyn Watkins was appointed to replace her.
• CADA was awarded $355,523 (an increase of $116,706 over last year) in grants for 2011-12. Of that amount $164,768 are new grants…this includes the Rural Sexual Assault Grant awarded in Sept for 142,257 to be used from 10/1/11 through 9/30/14. Not included in that amount is the $125,000 Capital Outlay grant from the Louisiana Bar Foundation toward the purchase of a new facility. This grant is paid out over the course of 5 years at $25,000 per year. Thus far we have drawn a total of $25,000 against it.
• CADA was selected as a United Way Community Partner again for funding year 2013. Designated gifts from U.W. are $4,600 for the 2012 campaign.
• Schematic renderings for our new building have been developed by architect, Jeff Kudla and the first investors meeting was held in November.
• Outreach efforts continue to develop and enhance our program as evidenced by the increase of 43% in persons served in 2011.
• On October 19,2011 we held our second annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to recognize and appreciate law enforcement personnel in Jeff Davis Parish. There were approximately 167 law officers, court personnel, and representatives from the D.A.’s office. This is up from 120 persons in 2010.
• A new fund raiser was added in 2011: the first annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show was held April 16th. It was well attended and we raised approximately $3500.
• Several pieces of furniture were donated, including a lovely dining set from the Jennings United Methodist Church. A dinette set with 6 chairs and an oversized easy chair for the living room, 2 dressers one with a mirror and an almost new Broyhill sofa were also donated.
• The Adopt a Family for Christmas Program provided gifts for 24 families and 29 children received new bikes! This is a 50% increase over last year.