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 | Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and share what’s ahead for CADA.
In 2024, your support made it possible for us to provide life-saving services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence across our region. Together, we navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and witnessed the resilience of those we serve. Thank you for standing with us in this critical work!
Looking ahead, CADA is embarking on a new 2-3 year strategic plan focused on strengthening our organization and expanding our impact.
Our key goals include: - Increasing and diversifying funding to ensure long-term sustainability and growth
- Enhancing our programs to better serve survivors, especially those facing the greatest barriers
- Improving internal systems to work smarter, not harder, in supporting our mission
- Exploring opportunities to update shelter bedrooms and create a more dignified and healing environment for residents
We are excited about these goals, but we also know that 2025 will bring MANY challenges—especially regarding funding. Many of you have heard about the recent attempted freeze on federal funds, adding to the uncertainty around long-term support for victim services. While federal grants currently account for about 20% of our budget, we’ve spent the last five years actively working to reduce our reliance on these volatile funding sources. Thanks to careful planning and strong financial stewardship, we are well-positioned to manage this uncertainty while continuing to provide critical services.
However, now more than ever, we need our communities to unite to support survivors. Your contributions, advocacy, and encouragement fuel this work and inspire us to keep pushing forward. Together, we can create a safer future for everyone.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership. Here’s to a year of resilience, growth, and solidarity!
Warm regards,
Jason Mack |
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 | Whether CADA clients live in shelter or receive services while remaining in the community, they often have legal questions that are beyond the scope of our expertise. Our advocates have frequently referred clients to the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) over the years, and recently we've been thrilled to collaborate with SMRLS staff to provide monthly office hours on-site and virtually for CADA-referred clients.
SMRLS is a non-profit law firm that receives funding to provide free legal help to low income and elderly people. They provide help in civil legal matters, with a focus on helping clients secure and protect basic needs, including in the realms of family law, government benefits, housing, immigration, education law, and senior law.
We truly appreciate the chance to connect our clients with high-quality legal assistance, and appreciate this valuable partnership! |
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 | December saw a record-breaking season of CADA Elves, CADA’s holiday gift-giving program! Because of the generosity and compassion of our fantastic donors, hundreds of children and adults experienced a bit more joy this holiday season.
For many of the people we serve, the holidays are particularly challenging. Financial abuse has left many families with few resources, while others are working hard to rebuild their lives after fleeing dangerous situations. The strain of trying to prioritize gifts, on top of basic necessities like food and rent, can feel overwhelming. That’s where your support made a HUGE difference!
THE NUMBERS
- 340 wish lists were fulfilled by CADA Elves (that's twice as many as last year!)
- 235 children received gifts for the holidays
- 105 adults received gifts for the holidays
- 135+ CADA Elves helped make the holidays brighter for those we serve
- 20 volunteers put in over 77 combined hours to make CADA Elves a success!
SOME OF THE MOST COMMON WISH LIST ITEMS INCLUDED:
- Winter clothing (coats, boots, mittens, and gloves)
- Bedding
- Towels
- Personal care and hygiene items
- Gas cards
- Gift cards to Target and Walmart
- Sensory toys for children
Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and helped spread the word! You provided more than presents—you gave families the gift of support, dignity, and a sense of belonging. Thank you for standing with CADA and for helping to create safer, brighter futures for the people we serve! |
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 | Our volunteers and Board members are an often unseen, but critical part of CADA. Their dedication, passion, and service make our mission possible, and we are profoundly grateful for all they’ve done to support survivors.
Kari Severson
Kari served on our Board for six years, holding many key roles, including Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committees and member of our Galentine’s Day planning committee. Her early contributions were instrumental in building internal capacity, and over time, she became a wise and passionate advocate for our mission. Thank you, Kari, for your incredible leadership and service!
Sadie Anderson
Sadie dedicated five years to CADA as a dependable and compassionate Board member. She served on multiple committees and consistently focused on ensuring that survivors received the critical services they needed across our region. Sadie, your commitment and hard work have left a lasting impact—thank you!
Tasha Moulton
During her two years on our Board, Tasha brought a strong voice for youth survivors and invaluable expertise from her nonprofit and direct service background. Her passion and advocacy were deeply felt in her role, and we are so grateful for her contributions.
Terri Karst Thelen
We want to sincerely thank our shelter and childcare volunteer, Terri, who has recently moved on to volunteer in other areas of the community. Terri had been with CADA for over two years and has logged 307 hours! We already miss her presence and abilities but wish her the very best of luck.
Jennifer Timmerman
Happy one-year CADAversary to our administrative volunteer, Jenni! Jenni has been indispensable in the front office. Whether it’s keeping the lobby tidy, assisting with events, or answering the front door, she is always keeping herself busy. A great big thank you for all you do!
To all our volunteers and Board members—thank you for making a difference every day. You are champions for survivors, and your work means the world to us! |
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 | Teen dating violence affects one in three young people in the U.S., making
it a serious issue that needs attention. Abuse in teen and young relationships
can take many forms, including psychological aggression, physical or sexual
violence, stalking, and digital abuse. Social media can make it easier for
abusive partners to control or harass their partners, while peer pressure and
social status can be used as tools for manipulation. Isolation is another
common tactic, making it harder for victims to talk to others about what’s
going on or recognize unhealthy behaviors.
Adults play a crucial role in guiding teens toward healthy relationships. Early
conversations about healthy relationships, boundaries, and friendships can
start in the early childhood years! When a young person starts dating, continue
to have open and frequent conversations about consent, boundaries, and safe
social media. This can help young folks build respectful partnerships and
recognize red flags—like excessive jealousy, controlling behaviors, and
emotional manipulation—can also make a difference.
All month, follow CADA on Facebook and Instagram and share our informational
posts to help spread awareness yourself! You can help by educating yourself and
others, starting conversations with the teens in your life, and supporting
CADA’s work. If you or someone you know needs help, CADA’s advocates are
available 24/7 through our helpline (1-800-477-0466), text line (507-223-4200),
or webchat (www.cadamn.org). Together, we
can empower teens to build safer, healthier relationships! |
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 | CADA usually offers an in-person, therapist-led sexual assault group for folks who have experienced sexual harm and/or sexual assault. That group is currently paused while we find a new therapist.
If you or someone you know is a licensed therapist that may be interested in facilitating this group, check out the position description! | |
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CADA Offices
24-Hour Helpline: 1-800-477-0466
Blue Earth County: 507-625-8688
Brown County: 507-233-6663 OR
507-233-6666
Faribault County: 507-526-5275
Le Sueur County: 507-934-5583
Martin County: 507-399-2001
Nicollet County: 507-934-5583
Sibley County: 507-233-6666
Waseca County: 507-835-7828
Watonwan County: 507-375-3040
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CADA's mission is to provide safety and support to victims of domestic and sexual violence through education, advocacy, and shelter.
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