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5 Lifesaving Ways Coalition For Family Harmony Is Reshaping Support For Survivors In 2025

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As of December 2025, the Coalition for Family Harmony (CFH) stands as a critical lifeline, celebrating a massive milestone while simultaneously expanding its reach to address complex, underserved community needs. The organization, which has served Ventura County, California, for five decades, is currently making headlines for its groundbreaking work, including a major expansion of its shelter services and a significant federal funding boost.

The Coalition for Family Harmony is the only dual-service organization in Ventura County, providing comprehensive support for both domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. This unique focus allows them to offer a holistic, trauma-informed approach that is essential for victims and their families seeking to escape cycles of abuse and rebuild their lives.

Leadership Profile: The Driving Force Behind the Coalition for Family Harmony

The success and recent expansion of the Coalition for Family Harmony are directly linked to the dedication of its leadership, particularly its long-serving Executive Director.

  • Executive Director: Caroline Prijatel-Sutton, PsyD
  • Role: Leads the organization's strategic direction, program development, and community outreach.
  • Key Achievement: Has overseen the Coalition's evolution from a foundational service to a comprehensive range of direct services for adults and at-risk youth.
  • Recent Compensation (2025 data): $177,078 (reflects commitment to professional, high-level non-profit leadership).
  • Controller: Gerry Sta. Ana
  • Director of Operations: Noel Stalcup, MBA
  • Board of Directors: A dedicated volunteer board works closely with Dr. Prijatel-Sutton to ensure fiscal responsibility and mission fidelity.

Under this leadership, the Coalition has consistently met the growing need in Ventura County, a region that recently faced one of the top five highest rates of domestic violence per capita in California.

1. Launching a Groundbreaking Shelter for Indigenous Survivors

One of the most significant and unique developments in the Coalition’s recent history is the announcement of its second domestic violence shelter, which is specifically designed to serve Indigenous survivors. This initiative recognizes the deep, systemic vulnerabilities faced by Indigenous women, men, and children who are disproportionately affected by violence.

This new shelter is a critical expansion of the Coalition's housing services, which already include safe, two-story residential homes that provide a secure, free-of-charge space for victims of domestic violence and abuse. The new Indigenous-focused facility ensures that culturally sensitive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed care is provided to a population with unique needs and barriers to accessing traditional services.

The creation of this specialized shelter solidifies the Coalition for Family Harmony's position as a forward-thinking organization that adapts its services to meet the specific cultural and social complexities of its community.

2. Celebrating Five Decades of Lifesaving Service and Advocacy

The year 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary Milestone for the Coalition for Family Harmony. This half-century of continuous service underscores the organization's enduring commitment to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Ventura County.

The anniversary celebration often coincides with Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), highlighting the organization's long-term impact and the continuing need for its services. Events like the recent 'A Night at the Masquerade' Benefit serve not only as crucial fundraisers but also as community-wide reminders of the thousands of lives impacted by the Coalition.

The 50th anniversary is a moment to reflect on the Coalition’s evolution from its founding in 1975 to its current status as a comprehensive provider of direct services, including its role as Ventura County's only rape crisis center.

3. Securing Major Federal Funding to Expand Critical Programs

In a major testament to the Coalition’s effectiveness and stability, the organization recently secured $1.66 Million in Federal Funding. This significant financial boost is instrumental in sustaining and expanding the high-demand services they offer.

Federal funding is vital for a non-profit operating in a high-need area like Ventura County. This money ensures the continuity of essential, free-of-charge services that survivors rely on, including:

  • Emergency Shelter Services: Providing immediate safety and housing.
  • Legal Advocacy: Assisting survivors with restraining orders, court accompaniment, and navigating the legal system.
  • 24-Hour Crisis Line: Ensuring help is available at any moment for those in immediate danger.

4. Comprehensive and Specialized Therapeutic Services for All Survivors

The Coalition for Family Harmony goes far beyond just providing shelter; its core strength lies in its comprehensive therapeutic and support programs, which are tailored to the diverse needs of survivors. This focus on mental health and emotional recovery is crucial for long-term healing.

Key therapeutic services offered by the Coalition include:

  • Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions focused on processing trauma and developing coping strategies.
  • Support Groups: Group sessions that foster a sense of community and shared experience among survivors.
  • Therapy for LGBTQ+ Survivors of Violence: Specialized care addressing the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Couple's Counseling: For those seeking to repair relationships damaged by abuse, where appropriate and safe.
  • Child Abuse Services: Dedicated programs to assist children and at-risk youth who have witnessed or experienced violence.

These services are all delivered through a survivor-centered, trauma-informed care model, which prioritizes the survivor's autonomy and experience throughout the healing stages.

5. Dual-Service Model: The Ventura County Advantage

The Coalition's designation as the only dual-domestic violence and sexual assault community-based organization in Ventura County is a defining feature of its effectiveness. Many survivors experience both forms of violence, and having a single, trusted organization to address all their needs reduces the burden of navigating multiple agencies.

This integrated approach means that a victim of sexual assault can receive immediate rape crisis services while also being linked to domestic violence shelters and legal aid, all within the same supportive network. This streamlined, holistic model is the gold standard in survivor care, ensuring that victims and their family and friends receive the comprehensive assistance necessary to move from crisis to long-term stability.

5 Lifesaving Ways Coalition for Family Harmony is Reshaping Support for Survivors in 2025
coalition for family harmony
coalition for family harmony

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