By JOELLA A. MONTOYA, Executive Director, CAV

As the new year begins, there is something tender about watching our community settle into January. Holiday lights come down, the winter air grows quiet, and many of us take a deep breath for the first time in months. A new year invites reflection, but it also invites possibility.

As I enter this year, I am thinking about survivors of domestic and sexual violence who carry the weight of last year’s pain into the new one, hoping for something different.

The Turning of the Year Is Not the Same for Everyone

The new year is often described as a fresh start. But for adults and children living with domestic or sexual violence, turning the page on the calendar does not suddenly bring safety. The struggles they face on Dec. 31 remain on Jan. 1.
Some begin the year wondering if this will be the year they finally leave. Some are trying to rebuild after immense trauma Some are quietly surviving day by day, hoping someone notices their pain.

For many children, the new year means returning to school with relief after weeks spent in unsafe homes.

The Power of a New Beginning

While violence does not disappear at midnight, a new year offers something essential: hope. Hope is one of the most powerful tools a survivor can have.

I see that hope every day at Community Against Violence (CAV). I see it when a survivor arrives at our shelter with nothing but the clothes they are wearing and determination in their eyes. I see it when a child takes their first deep, safe breath. I hear it in the phone calls we receive at 2 a.m. — the calls when someone finally says, “I need help.”

Hope often shows up in small acts. It rarely arrives all at once, but it grows.

Our Community’s Role

One of the things I value most about this community is the way we look out for one another. We check on neighbors. We ask questions. We show up. That matters, especially for survivors who feel unseen or unheard.
As we move into the new year, I invite us to make a few gentle commitments:

• Listen when someone shares their story, even if it is quiet or hesitant.
• Believe survivors. Your belief can change the direction of a life.
• Pay attention to the children around you. Their behavior often speaks before their words do.
• Be patient with those who are healing. Trauma does not follow a timeline.
• Support organizations like CAV. We are here 24/7, and your support allows us to remain a lifeline.

No one can end domestic violence alone. Together, however, we can create safety, connection and a community where violence has fewer places to hide.

A Year of Healing Begins With Compassion

Every survivor’s journey is different. Healing is not linear and cannot be rushed, but it can be supported through kindness, understanding and a community that refuses to look away.

My hope for the new year is simple:

• That everyone living in fear finds their way to safety.
• That every child who has witnessed violence finds peace.
• That every survivor feels believed, supported and worthy of healing.
• And that our community continues to lead with compassion.

If You Need Us, We Are Here Every hour. Every day. Every season of the year.