The Starke County Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
CADA began in 1992 as a grassroots volunteer organization during a time when there wasn’t any other organization or agency addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in Starke County.
Lack of available child care, few job opportunities, inadequate public transportation, distance from shelters and services, poverty and economic dependence on the abuser are just some of the barriers that make escaping a violent relationship even harder for rural women.
When women and their children leave their abuser, and go to an emergency shelter, their immediate needs are taken care of, but their stay is limited. CADA found that when women leave emergency shelters, they frequently return to their abuser because they have no other place to go.
In 2001, CADA opened a transitional housing program called Phoenix House for victims of domestic violence and their dependent children. The program allows victims to leave emergency shelter and stay in an apartment for up to two years. The program offers classes in budgeting, nutrition, computers, parenting, domestic violence education and other important life skills. A case manager helps the clients develop goals and keeps clients moving forward. When the client completes the program, she and her children should be able to be independent, self-sufficient and violence free.
Through KIRPC (Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission), CADA received a grant from OCRA (Office of Community and Rural Affairs) to build their Advocacy Center, where they meet with clients, have community meetings, have the CADA/Phoenix House office and provide storage for clients.
More information about CADA can be obtained by calling 574-772-3331 or by emailing cada@embarqmail.com.
