Cafa

CAFA first offered support groups for women who were dealing with abuse in their partner relationships. Under the direction of Echo Lucas, those groups continue to meet. The women in the support groups voiced a need for the services for their partners and as a result, CAFA's batterer intervention program, Outgrowing the need for Power, Anger, and C... ontrol (OPAC) was started. OPAC, under the supervision of Carolyn Rexius, LCSW, is now the largest program of it's kind in Lane County, serving over 300 clients weekly. Children who have been impacted by trauma were CAFA's next population of concern. Parenting classes were implemented to address the impact of domestic violence on children. Parents are taught how to openly discuss the violence with their children. Filial Therapy (FT), a unique approach used by professionals trained in play therapy, is taught to parents to become therapeutic agents with their own children. The class implements a format of didactic instruction, demonstration play sessions, skills training, and practice play sessions. The vision these three women had, to offer services to the community that would be complimentary to the client's traditional values, had been fulfilled. A parallel mission was to activate the Christian community to awareness of the devastating effects of domestic abuse and motivate them to be a part of the healing ministry of Jesus to these families. We continue to partner with the local church toward these goals.Read More