Mission:

The Community Advocacy Program (CAP) is a successful initiative of the Center for Community Health Education, Research, and Service (CCHERS), Inc., a not-for-profit incorporated partnership.

The mission of the Community Advocacy Program is to provide and increase the availability and quality of domestic violence services for victims and their families in community health centers, offering these services in an accessible and safe setting.

History:

In 1994, the MA Department of Public Health Pediatric Family Violence Prevention Project provided funding for support groups for battered women, and corresponding groups for their children, in two community health centers.  Based on the success of this initiative and the obvious need for additional services, in September, 1995, at the urging of its member health centers, CCHERS established the Community Advocacy Program, with initial funding support from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA).

CAP is a partnership of community health centers providing free and confidential domestic violence services for health center clients and community residents.

CAP Family Advocates are now on site at six health centers: Bowdoin Street, Codman Square, Dimock, Dorchester House, Geiger Gibson, and Neponset, serving the neighborhoods of Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, South Boston, and the surrounding areas. 

T-Shirts made by CAP clients and health center staff as part of our Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities in October

Governor Deval Patrick declares October Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Dorchester Multi Service Center October 1, 2007