Where can you go when you think there’s no way to escape domestic violence and abuse?
For many, economics is reason enough to stay with an abuser and hope things will change.
In Cape May County, there is a real alternative to living in an abusive situation.
Cape May County’s Coalition Against Rape and Abuse (C.A.R.A.) was established in 1978 as a satellite branch of the Atlantic County C.A.R.A., and was incorporated as a separate entity in 1982.
Statistics released for 2007, show that C.A.R.A. provided shelter to 95 women and children, provided 1,650 days of shelter to women and children, conducted 2,650 individual counseling hours, provided in-person response to 525 domestic violence victims at police stations and courts, provided legal option sessions to 1,300 individuals, supplied legal representation to 50 domestic violence victims, and answered 8,000 hotline calls.
Empowering clients to achieve a peaceful resolution and facilitating their journey to independence is the goal of the organization.
This year the C.A.R.A. Independence Program received a $400,000 grant and a $25,000 private donation to offset the $900,000 cost of building three duplexes and a community center for supportive services.
The new complex will be able to house 36 individuals. The hope is to break ground later this spring.
This facility will be the first of its kind in southern New Jersey. The current facility can only function as an emergency shelter.
Residency in the facility lasts for 18 months maximum, and during this time the client focuses on living a life independent of the abuser, establishes a good credit rating, and maximizes earning potential so that she can remain successfully independent.
There are rules and regulations and certain requirements for those in the residential program.
Clients must be employed or furthering their education to increase employment opportunities. They give 30 percent of their income as a usage fee, 30 percent must go into a savings account, and the remaining 40 percent can be used for incidentals.
On average a client saves about $8,000, which can be used for first and last month’s rental deposits, as well as security and utility deposits when she begins living independently.
The program may take residents from out of the county based on availability and referral from a sister agency. Sometimes a Cape May County resident is also best served out of the county.
C.A.R.A. relies on volunteer advocates to assist with clients and agency events.
Volunteer advocates are needed to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at the local hospital or various police departments throughout Cape May County.
If you are interested in assisting clients, certification training is required. Trainings are conducted at various times throughout the year.
Volunteers are also utilized to assist in the Food Bank, Clothing Boutique and help with fundraising events. These opportunities require no certification training.
For more information on ways to help the agency, staff, and clients, please contact C.A.R.A.
Financially, C.A.R.A. depends on donations to run their programs. The major fundraiser of the year is held in August at the C.A.R.A.bean Night.
But you don’t have to wait till then to support the new building project. Individuals can mail a check to C.A.R.A., P.O. Box 774, Court House, NJ 08210, or call Kristen Bixby at 609-522-6489 and find out other ways you can support C.A.R.A.
