JACKSON, Wyo. — “We’ve all heard the metaphor of rescuing people who have fallen into the river,” says Sarah Cavallaro, Executive Director of Teton Youth & Family Services. “To avoid becoming overwhelmed by pulling everyone out one at a time, move upstream and see why they’re falling in to begin with. Prevent more people from falling in, and then there’s no need to rescue them.”
And over the past year, Teton Youth & Family Services and Community Safety Network have been pulling a record-breaking number of community members from this metaphorical river.
As Jackson Hole, like the rest of the world, emerges from years burdened by the pandemic, it’s clear that the community is relying on the resources provided by Teton Youth & Family Services and Community Safety Network at record-breaking levels. As the pressure of COVID inflicted new levels of strain on individuals, families, and resources, more community members were at elevated risk for violence, exploitation, and trauma.
“Our intervention services are critical — navigating the aftermath of crisis or trauma is profoundly important to help people heal and rediscover hope — but to shift the course of the future, investing in prevention is the clearest, most impactful way forward,” adds Cavallaro.
In 2021, both Teton Youth & Family Services and Community Safety Network experienced a significant, measurable increase in demand for their services. TYFS provided 9,805 safe nights for youth over the year — a 40% increase over the previous year. CSN provided 6,232 safe nights for 44 adults and 25 children over 2021. The emergency shelter had occupants every single day, and the 5 transitional housing units were filled to capacity for the entirety of the year. Since 2019, calls to the organization’s 24-hour helpline doubled.
At the same time, these two nonprofit organizations experienced a downward trend in state funding. With a combined operating budget of $4 million (85% of which goes directly to client services), the organizations faced the challenge of raising nearly half of that through private philanthropy. State funding continues to diminish, and community need continues to grow. In 2021, Growing Stronger Together proved indispensable in bridging this ever-expanding gap.
“Dynamics of trauma, abuse, and violence are often cyclical and generational,” explains Starr Sonne, interim Executive Director for Community Safety Network. “Prevention can take many forms. When we connect with a client or family leaving a dangerous situation, that’s prevention: we’re helping to shift a pattern away from violence and toward healthy relationships and skills. But there’s also prevention before any of these things can happen — connecting with young people and empowering them to develop positive relationships, a strong sense of self, and an understanding of how to avoid certain challenges.”
“Whether we connect with a child and help avert exploitation before it starts, empower a teen to nourish their own self-esteem, or offer a safe haven in the aftermath of a life-shaking crisis, our services are the stone in someone’s pond,” agrees Cavallaro. “85% of youth who are involved with our residential programs never need to seek a higher level of care. That’s the very definition of prevention. But we also need to help kids and families before residential care might be necessary — through leadership camps, counseling, there are so many ways that lives can be changed for the better.”
Growing Stronger Together will run through the month of May, and culminate with a community celebration on June 15. Supporters can make their gift online here, or contact the organizations directly regarding a gift. Be sure to follow both @tetonyouthandfamilyservices and @csn_jh on social media throughout the campaign to experience compelling videos, fascinating statistics, and other important information.
