CAASA seeking community support

Spencer’s Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault location is seeking donations following the June 22 flood. The organization, which provides counseling and other services for survivors of abuse, was one of the first buildings to be inundated with water when the Little Sioux River flooded south of the bridge connecting north and south Spencer, and was one of the last on Grand Avenue to be free of it.

The water rose more than four-feet on the upper level, completely submerging the lower one. Everything had to be disposed of, save a few essential documents which were dried out. In light of the losses and circumstances, CAASA is calling for monetary support from the community. Ways to donate include Paypal, Venmo, and a flood-specific GoFundMe.

Stephanie Henrich, executive director of CAASA, said she was devastated to see her years of work destroyed in a matter of hours.

“I will never forget that ribbon cutting, because it was probably one of the most special times in my career…I’ve put my heart and soul into this so that people know that we are advocates and professionals, and that’s what this building was about.”

The Grand Avenue location improve the service agencies visibility, and allowed them space to expand into services beyond counseling. Moreover, the current location on Grand is symbolic of the nonprofit’s recent growth.

Before the flood, the food bank in the lower level of the building was taking off, and plans for adding a kitchen to serve meals were in the works. They had also recently installed a new television system to train police and medical workers on how to properly respond to sexual violence.

This was largely the work of Lacey Urban, CAASA’s volunteer and training coordinator. Bringing greater awareness to the issue of sexual assault has been one of her main priorities, and a central location has been instrumental in that effort.

“I came in October,” Urban said, “and I can tell you even in the short time I’ve been here, while meeting people, they now know us and they didn’t before… We’re in a world now where we need to talk about it (sexual assault], so we need to be out there, front and center.”

Currently, Spencer staffers are operating from an office trailer in the parking lot of the building. Both Henrich and Urban said they were adamant about staying where the community can see them.

“This building had all the main, important stuff in it. It served as a hub for the other offices to get their supplies, they were dependent on us,” Henrich said.
 
CAASA serves 19 counties throughout northwest Iowa, and Spencer’s office is the hub for all other locations. This meant that equipment used to educate in schools and hospitals was also destroyed in the flood.

Now, more than ever, Henrich said it is essential that CAASA remains available to serve the Spencer community.

 “As disasters happen, more sexual assaults happen, because people are desperate to have that home and unfortunately that puts us into situations we don’t want to be in. When we see disaster, we also see vulnerability, especially in the underserved community,” Henrich said.

Though CAASA is a sexual assault agency, they prioritize helping anyone with flood needs or otherwise.

“We can always help you,we can give you resources, food, blankets, furniture, and we can call other people and get you help or a hotel,” Henrich said.

New Leaf, a furniture and home decor store run by CAASA in Cherokee is also offering needed furniture to flood victims for free.

CAASA’s building is in trouble, but Henrich is ready to take on the challenge and keep serving her community.

“This will be a trying time for everybody, but I am hopeful,” Henrich said.

More information on provided services is available on their website, www.caasaonline.org or on their Facebook page. CAASA’s 24/7 hotline is also available on their website.