The Council on Domestic Abuse announced Wednesday it has met its initial fundraising goal of $150,000, thereby assuring the restoration of the agency’s full residential services.
Two weeks ago, CODA announced it would temporary suspend its residential services for survivors of domestic violence effective September 14. This decision came after extensive delays in contract reimbursements from state-awarded grants, as well as increasing operating costs unable to be covered by grants. Sarah Cambell, Executive Director of CODA, appealed to the Terre Haute community by launching the social media campaign, #CommunityForCODA. As a result of the community’s generosity, CODA met its initial fundraising goal in just ten days.
“This community has astounded us with how it has come together for CODA,” said Campbell. “We’ve had people contacting us and telling us how much the community needs our services. The response we’ve received has been amazing and we are humbled by the support.”
Campbell says that a wide variety of businesses and individuals made reaching this goal possible, including a $50,000 matching grant from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation.
“The Community Foundation works every day to help create a community where every person can thrive,” said Wabash Valley Community Foundation Board President, Nancy Brattain Rogers. “Adults and children who face domestic violence cannot thrive. The work CODA does saves the lives of our neighbors and helps families in this community find a path to financial, physical and emotional well-being. Supporting CODA is wholly consistent with the mission of the Community Foundation and we are pleased we were able to offer this challenge to the community.”
CODA offers the only residential service for survivors of domestic violence in West Central Indiana. In the last fiscal year, CODA housed over 200 people (64 children) in the shelter. The agency’s legal advocates assisted 2,402 survivors of domestic violence and helped secure 370 protective orders. In addition, CODA interacts with thousands of people through its Outreach and Education Services, as well as educates students at all Vigo County Schools on healthy relationships.
Thanks to the incredible response from the community, CODA can continue offering its full services to the community; however, agency officials say they will continue to appeal to the community.
“While we hope to never be in crisis again, CODA has always relied on donations to supplement the grants in our budget,” said Campbell. “We need constant support from our community to keep our services available.”
“Our original goal alleviates the original crisis which required suspending services,” agreed Caroline Carvill, President of the CODA Board. “It left very little breathing room for future delays or funding cuts. The money we continue to raise will help ensure our long-term viability and provide us with a bigger hedge against future delays in funding.”
To contribute to CODA, please visit codaterrehaute.org. As over 90% of victims utilizing the residential services are from the Terre Haute area, the money raised will remain local. For more information, contact Sarah Campbell at 812.234.3441.
About CODA
The mission of the Council on Domestic Abuse, Inc. is the elimination of domestic abuse and sexual assault through societal change and the empowerment of abused individuals and their minor children. Their goals are to provide a safe environment for men, women, and their minor children who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, and help survivors build stable and independent lives through case management and programs focused on self-sufficiency. Through prevention and intervention education, they are working to prevent future cases of domestic violence and sexual assault.
