Major gift helps CAPSA develop needed therapy area and children’s center

Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse, more commonly known as CAPSA, started fundraising for a Therapy and Children’s Center addition two years ago and now, according to Development Director James Boyd, that has become possible.

CAPSA was recently awarded with a $100,000 gift from longtime-supporter Gail Bird Weinshenker.

Boyd says Weinshenker is a retired nurse who is married to Ned Weinshenker and is now a member of CAPSA’s board of directors. Boyd says with this gift CAPSA has raised just over $200,000 to help meet the demand.

“This therapy and children’s center addition will provide four therapy offices above a children’s center,” Boyd explains. “Our children’s center will really be used for daycare for when clients in our shelter need to go look for jobs or housing.

“Or, if the clients come in to meet with a therapist or a case worker they can have their children in the daycare system. We also do children groups so this will give us an opportunity to have a larger space to do children’s groups as we partner with the adult groups that we do.”

Boyd says the children’s center will be named in honor of Mary Palley who served on CAPSA’s Board of Trustees for over 25 years until her death in March.

“Utah is above the national average in domestic violence and sexual violence and in Cache Valley there is a great need for FREE specialized therapy for men, women and children who are dealing with the trauma associated with abuse,” stated Jill Anderson, Executive Director of CAPSA in a press release. “Even with the growth of our therapy program, there is demand for additional therapists. However, we are currently out of office space, so the building of a Therapy and Children’s Center addition will allow CAPSA to add the needed therapists.”

Boyd says CAPSA still needs to raise $50,000-$100,000 over the next few months to add a new roof and siding to the existing building.

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