Newsletter
Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance Empowerment in Action From The Director Hello friends, as I wrap up my first couple of months as Executive Director of the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance, I am filled with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead. It’s been an inspiring whirlwind—getting back out into the community, meeting the incredible people who make this work possible, and seeing firsthand the resilience and compassion that define the Illinois Valley. This season, we’re especially looking forward to our 6th Annual Christmas Event for the Youth of the Illinois Valley—a tradition that brings joy, hope, and togetherness to so many local families. It’s a beautiful reminder that when our community comes together, we can shine a light in even the darkest times. Our mission has always been rooted in safety, self-sufficiency, empowerment, and healing. As we move forward, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that every person who reaches out to us finds not only support but also a sense of possibility for a brighter future. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly and for standing with us in this vital work. Together, we continue to build a community where safety, compassion, and hope thrive. With gratitude and determination, Heather Stewart Executive Director, Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance  Board of Directors Your Leadership Can Change Lives: Join the Alliance Board! Are you inspired by the vision of a community free from intimate partner violence, elder abuse, and sexual assault? The Alliance is seeking passionate, visionary people to guide our future and raise up the voices of survivors. Do you have a gift for increasing our reach, ensuring that every survivor and underrepresented member of our community receives the support they need? This is an opportunity to significantly build your personal and professional skills in areas like financial oversight, strategic planning, and community development, while making a profound and lasting difference. The Board Experience: Commitment and Rewards· Make Decisions That Matter: Provide crucial stewardship and strategic oversight for the organizational future, including budgeting, financial health, and future service offerings.· Grow Your Expertise: Participate in monthly board trainings designed to further your knowledge of effective non-profit governance and community needs.· Structured Engagement: Attend monthly board meetings (in-person or via Zoom) on the last Tuesday of the month at 4:00 PM (typically one hour).· Community Presence: Represent the Alliance at public outreach and fundraising events, such as Soup for the Souls.· Shared Investment: An annual financial contribution (any amount you are comfortable with) is required to demonstrate 100% board participation — a key requirement for our grant funding partners.· Note on Confidentiality: Our board focuses entirely on organizational strategy; client confidentiality is strictly maintained, and no personal client information is ever disclosed to the board. Ready to help guide the future of The Alliance? We are currently looking to add new board members and would be excited to speak with you. Let’s explore if this beneficial partnership is the right fit. Call the Alliance today at 541-592-5332 to be connected with a Board Member. We look forward to welcoming you! |
| Board Spotlight! Jordan Reyes, Board Vice President My name is Jordan Reyes, a husband and father of two. I have a background in paralegal studies and criminal justice that allows me to offer insight into the legal framework surrounding domestic violence, victim support systems, and the challenges within the justice system. I have a master’s degree in project management, which enables me to coordinate planning, execute, and oversee initiatives that are crucial to organizing awareness. I have personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence, particularly within the Native American communities, which is profoundly impactful. The unique perspectives as a male survivor also help to challenge stereotypes and encourage other men to seek help and become allies in prevention efforts. Being the vice president of the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance Board has allowed me to support the advocates who assist victims daily when dealing with historical trauma, judicial challenges, socioeconomic factors, and cultural barriers. Dear Advocate, My best friend is in a violent relationship. I’ve tried to talk to her, but she gets defensive and shuts me out. I’m scared for her, but I don’t want to lose her. What can I do? — Worried Friend Dear Worried Friend, Your concern comes from a place of love, and your friend is fortunate to have someone who cares this deeply. The most helpful things you can do are: Be a steady, non-judgmental presence. Survivors often return to people who don’t shame or pressure them. Say things like, “I believe you. I care about you. You don’t deserve to be treated this way. I’m here whenever you’re ready.” Help her create a safety plan and support her plan, even if she stays. Take care of yourself and set boundaries, too. Supporting someone in danger can be difficult. It is important to take care of yourself so you can be there for them. Your consistency and compassion may someday be the lifeline she reaches for. For more information, call the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance at 541-592-2515. !  How you can help: Supporting organizations that address domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, and elder abuse can be deeply impactful and fulfilling. You can volunteer your time by helping with sorting of donations, community outreach, administrative outreach, or offering professional skills like legal, medical, or tech support. Advocacy is another powerful tool—raising awareness, supporting survivor-centered legislation, and hosting educational events can shift public perception and policy. Locally, in Cave Junction, OR, the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance is a key resource offering emergency shelter and services, individual peer counseling, restraining orders, transportation, support groups, and community education. Educating yourself on trauma-informed care and sharing that knowledge helps build a more empathetic and informed community. Financial donations, even small monthly contributions, help sustain vital services, and in-kind donations such as toiletries, clothing, and food are often urgently needed. If you’d like help crafting a plan to get involved, please call the Alliance at 541-592-2515. Donate Here!  We provide many items to those we are working with. Some of the things we can use all the time are: Socks Hygiene Products Toiletries Coats Gloves and Hats Blankets, Tents Sleeping Bags Men’s Shoe’s If you would like to make a cash donation to the Alliance, please visit: Donate Today! Local Resources All Care Medical Group – 341 Cottage Park Ste 1, Cave Junction, 541-450-3625 Options- 319 Caves Hwy, 541-476-2373 IV Family Coalition– 535 E River Street, Cave Junction, 541-592-6139 Head Start- Josephine County, 541-734-5150 DHS, Cave Junction Branch- 541-592-4149  April 04, 2026 Soup for the Souls 5 pm-7pm520 East River Street, Cave Junction Join the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance at our 14th annual Soup for the Souls event. There will be unlimited soup and bread that includes a handcrafted or vintage bowl for our guests to take home. There will also be a cake walk, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and entertainment. April is Sexual Assault awareness month and all proceeds from our event go towards survivors of sexual violence. Doors open at 5:00 and No early entry. Tickets are $15 a piece and can be purchased at the door or at the Alliance office. Starting January 7, 2026, Unconditional Self-Love Group 103 South Kerby Ave. Cave Junction, join us for our 9-week Unconditional Self-Love Group where we explore why we ignore our needs and what it means to truly love ourselves the way we love others.· This is an emotional support group for survivors that we are working with, along with community members who have a desire to learn how to unconditionally love themselves. This group helps us focus on our true selves outside of what trauma and/ or victimization has placed on our life. Group participation is free to anyone who signs up all materials are provided, childcare can be provided if needed, help with gas can be provided if needed, lunch is provided for every session (dietary restrictions are okay) and incentives are given for full participation at every session. *This support group is presented over 9 weeks. One session per week @ 1.5 Hrs. in time. Support groups are set at 7 participants each. February 11, 2026Teen Dating Violence Awareness Day February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to come together to raise awareness, educate our community, and promote healthy, respectful relationships among teens. On February 11, wear orange to show your support for teens, stand against dating violence, and help spark important conversations about respect, boundaries, and safety in relationships. Whether it’s a shirt, hoodie, ribbon, or accessory, every bit of orange helps spread the message. January 19, 2026Tolowa-Dee-ni Nation Outreach 103 S Kerby Ave, Cave Junction. Come join Tolowa Dee- ni Nation here at the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance, every 3rd Monday of the month as they provide services to tribal members, anyone married to a tribal member, or a child with a parent who is a tribal member. Please note you don’t have to be a Tolowa Dee-ni Nation tribal member to receive services. Contact Us! Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance 103 South Kerby Ave.(across the street from City Hall)PO Box 2490Cave Junction, Oregon 97523alliance@ivsha.org541-592-2515 For advocacy services 541-592-5332 For general information 541-415-9367 24-hr Crisis Line 541-592-2585 Fax If you need support, contact an advocate at 541-592-2515, or to reach an advocate after hours and weekends, call the crisis phone at 541-415-9367. This project was supported by grant # 15JOVW-24-GG-01040-RURA awarded by the Violence Against Women’s Grant office. Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or politics of the US Dept. of Justice.The Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance operates its programs, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of our programs. |
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