NEWS is proud to announce that it is under award with a grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services that will bolster its capacity to support survivors of domestic violence (DV) and sexual abuse (SA) from the diverse community of American Canyon. We recognize that American Canyon is a unique community in Napa County. American Canyon is geographically isolated from Napa and is the most racially diverse city in the county. The 2021 Providence Health Community Survey found that nearly 70% of the population self-identifies as a minority compared to about 50% of Napa County, and that nearly 60% of residents travel outside of Napa County for work. The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is the largest minority in American Canyon (40%), and the Filipino population in American Canyon is the second largest in the state.

NEWS has been awarded for up to five years, offering sustainability to the program’s initiatives. During this first year of the grant, NEWS leadership is reaching out to our business, law enforcement, and community connections to listen and understand the barriers that DV/SA survivors from American Canyon may face when accessing services in Napa County. NEWS serves all DV/SA survivors in Napa County, and we know we have more work to do to become a trusted partner in American Canyon.

Tracy Lamb
NEWS Executive Director

If you are experiencing abuse or would just like some information, please call our help line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Since 1990, the month of May has been designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States. NEWS will be sharing AAPI information during the month of May, on Facebook and Instagram, and acknowledging this community in Napa County, particularly in the American Canyon area. Please join us in honoring the heritage of the AAPI community in our neighborhoods.

Here at NEWS, we are are constantly impressed with the strength, courage, and love in our clients who are mothers. They often are in the middle of the hardest thing they will ever do in their lives, leaving their home, and they put their children first. They are breaking the cycle of violence and giving their children a better life, free of violence, and full of hope. For Mother’s Day, we would like to share a few stories about some of our special moms.

Mom’s supporting each other is something we see a lot at the shelter. Recently a client’s son turned 5 years old. She was worried that his birthday wouldn’t feel as special because they were in the shelter. The other moms in the house wanted to support her so they rallied together to help her cook food and make treats to celebrate. They ended up having an amazing party for the birthday boy. It was such a beautiful experience to see the unity between moms as they worked together to make the day so special for everyone involved.

Vanessa is separated from her children who are living with their grandparents. She works two, sometimes three, jobs 6-7 days a week to be able to send money to her boys who she video chats with daily. They are her pride and joy and she shares videos of her sons singing songs to her about how much they love her, and messages of them asking for for school supplies. Although she misses them terribly, they encourage her with the hope that one day they will be reunited.

One of our Sexual Assault Victim Services advocates has a case where the oldest sister has been the mother to her sibling due to mom’s absence.  She has raised her little sister since she was three years old. She has 50% custody, has always been there for her, and loves to be with her sister. Sisters can always be very helpful and are really good role models for their siblings.  They can be mother figures, too.   

And lastly, a quote from an amazing mom: “I'm so proud of myself! I just finished school! There was a time not so long ago when I didn't know if I and my children would see tomorrow, and to look back at that now, it feels like a completely different life. I'm proud not only of my accomplishment and the hard work I put in, but in the example I am setting for my children. Instead of me putting up with abuse, they see me standing up for myself. Instead of admitting defeat, they see me getting up every day and trying again. Instead of violence, they see love - boundless love. For all of that, I am proud and grateful for NEWS. They helped me plant myself on my own two feet.”

*Names have been changed