Supporting Hope in Our Communities!
Once again, the support shown by everyone who listened, came by, and called in during the 17th Annual Community Against Violence (CAV) Radiothon two weeks ago was inspiring! Thank you to all who shared their financial support and words of encouragement for the domestic and sexual violence and child abuse services, and prevention programs CAV provides in northern New Mexico.
Together, we raised nearly $77,000 from more than 350 individuals and businesses who called, donated online, or stopped by the KTAOS Solar Center or CAV’s Thrift Store to donate. Every dollar raised through the Radiothon, mailed in, and made online (TaosCAV.org) helps leverage grant funding necessary to meet the agency budget to provide critical community services.
We are grateful for the incredible children and their parents and teachers from Enos Garcia Elementary! They called in and announced the amount of coins each grade had gathered. In their young, sweet voices, they told listeners why they had collected pennies to help: because “people need a safe place to sleep” and because “no one should be afraid” and not have “a safe place to go.” They were beautifully thoughtful, brave, and kind!
All year long, CAV staff quietly provide wide-ranging confidential services to children and adults—over 800 people last year—in need of crisis response, counseling, shelter, legal/medical advocacy, transitional housing, food, and other direct services. One day each year, Radiothon, is one of our favorite days because the community gets to hear why the services they help CAV provide are so crucial. We also get to hear from many survivors, and thrivers, who have been helped by CAV’s 41 years of programs.
Last Thursday we heard from many professionals from the medical, mental health, child protective services, and law enforcement fields—who told us they donate to CAV because in their work they see the effects of sexual and domestic violence and child abuse on our community. Teachers, students of all ages, and families called in to describe how they experience the benefit of CAV’s violence-prevention programs in the schools and communities. Faith community leaders, civic organizations, school groups, political leaders, employers, and employees shared why they donate and volunteer.
We are especially grateful for the many survivors and their family members who talked of CAV’s services positively impacting their lives, and those who talked of staying in CAV’s shelter when their children were young. And we heard from some who didn’t have services when they were needed long ago. They want to be sure services are always there for whomever needs them.
Parents described how they and their children have been able to get help from CAV and now have restored hope. Many survivors called and talked of how CAV staff were there without judgment and how they couldn’t imagine what would have happened if they hadn’t been able to get services.
Calls came from friends (old and new), from all over, challenging each other to help. Special kudos to our “CAV Business Sponsors” —business leaders and partners who invest in our essential community services (see them listed at TaosCAV.org). Think about choosing them for where best to spend your dollars!
We were deeply touched by so many intensely personal and courage-filled stories during the Radiothon and hearing the amazing resiliency and hope inspired in our communities. Thank you to KTAOS and to all who shared – your donations, your stories, your hope, and your commitment to making our community safer.
Malinda Williams is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV) which offers FREE confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child/elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education BIP groups for people using domestic violence power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk with someone or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour hotline at 575-758-9888. TaosCAV.org
