July 3, 2024
Dear Members and Partners,
After 14 amazing years, the Colorado Advocacy in Action Conference (CAIA) will come to an end. Since 2011, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) and Violence Free Colorado (VFC) have co-created the conference as a place for advocates working to end domestic and sexual violence to connect and learn. We are extremely proud of the staff at both coalitions for the time and care they have put into building the conference. We are humbled by the trust advocates have put in us as participants, presenters, and collaborators.
After many years of discussion and negotiation between the coalitions, we have jointly decided to discontinue the CAIA conference. Every successful conference has been the result of hundreds of hours of work and collaboration, and while there were many good things we have been able to accomplish together, our organizations have struggled to move productively through conflict. Building a shared vision and implementing the conference together has been rewarding and challenging. We believe that the best next step for both coalitions will be to work independently toward our shared goals.
The intention and goals of the CAIA conference remain central to the work of both coalitions. We remain committed to providing training, technical assistance, and support for those in direct service with survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, human trafficking, and stalking. CAIA was a large part of that work each year. It will be missed. However, we believe that ending CAIA will make space for new ways of teaching, learning, and being in community with you.
You will be hearing from VFC and CCASA about new opportunities in the coming months. Stay connected to our newsletters, social media, and email to see what’s next.
EXIT
