Encinitas Rotarian and Community Resource Center CEO John Van Cleef gave an important and inspiring presentation on CRC, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Headquartered in Encinitas, the organization has opened a center and a thrift store in Carlsbad Village. CRC focuses on domestic violence, feeding the hungry and homeless, and getting people into safe homes and future success through its two central efforts: “Human Need-Professional Interaction-Personal Transformation”; and “Healthy Food-Stable Housing-Safe Homes.” The goal is always healing, recovery, and a path to self-sufficiency.
CRC is busier than ever. In 2019 thus far, there have been 656 calls to the Domestic Violence hotline, and 172 people have been given safety and shelter in the center’s 24-bed emergency shelter and transitional units. Meanwhile, CRC is now feeding more than 550 people per week; in 2018, there were 13,800 total food visits. They do this on a $5.5 million operating budget, with 40% of the funding coming from various government contracts. John says they hope to increase funding from other sources to mitigate the natural unpredictability of government contracts.
Some great news concerns the increase in domestic violence reporting. This doesn’t mean domestic violence itself is on the rise; it means more people are stepping forward and reporting. John attributes the beginning of the rise to former NFL star Ray Rice, who turned his own DV issues into one of the most positive and effective outreaches against DV. Carlsbad’s office, which has licensed DV therapists, reported 241 receiving help in 2019 thus far.
There are plenty of ways to get involved with CRC, as a volunteer or contributor. For more information, go to www.crcncc.org, or email John Van Cleef at jvancleef@crcncc.org.