Helene Relief Application for Organizations and Advocates
- Clothing
- Furniture and appliances
- Car repairs
- Equipment
- Food
- Rental/Mortgage payment/Security deposits
- Temporary housing/hotel stay
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the history, cultures, and significant contributions of Native American communities while also recognizing the challenges they continue to face. This month of celebration traces its origins back to the early 20th century, when Seneca archaeologist Dr. Arthur C. Parker advocated for a day dedicated to recognizing Native Americans. In 1916, New York became the first state to observe "American Indian Day," and in 1990, President George H.W. Bush proclaimed November as National Native American Heritage Month.
This month is also a powerful reminder that the fight for Indigenous sovereignty, reparations, and cultural preservation is ongoing. We must recognize and address how systems of oppression, including settler colonialism, continue to affect Indigenous peoples' right to freedom and well-being.
One of the most urgent public health issues in the United States is the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) epidemic. Indigenous women in the U.S. face violence at significantly higher rates than other groups, with homicide being one of the leading causes of death for Indigenous women under 44 (Urban Indian Health Institute, 2018). Due to systemic gaps in data collection, law enforcement jurisdictional challenges, and insufficient media coverage, many cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women go unreported and unresolved, contributing to a heinous cycle of inaction.
It's essential to learn from the leaders, advocates, and organizations who are shaping the movement to combat violence against Indigenous women. Community-driven efforts, such as those led by Indigenous activists, grassroots organizations, and tribal leaders, are at the forefront of raising awareness and advocating for justice. Organizations like the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC), Native Hope, and Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) work tirelessly to address gaps in data collection, support families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and push for policy changes that protect tribal, land, and Indigenous sovereignty.
Specific to challenges around law enforcement and jurisdiction, advocates are calling for comprehensive reforms, including improved evaluation and data collection efforts, expanded federal support, and stronger interjurisdictional coordination among tribal, federal, and state law enforcement. Recently, initiatives such as Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act have been enacted to improve law enforcement response, though much more work remains to ensure these efforts are fully implemented, monitored, and supported.
At a community level, Indigenous-led organizations are promoting prevention through culturally grounded programs that empower women and educate communities. Some are creating databases and networks for tracking missing cases, while others are providing legal aid, mental health resources, and safe spaces for survivors and families. Healing through traditional practices, ceremonies, and community gatherings is also central to these efforts.
In order to address the MMIW crisis, it is critical for allies, policymakers, and community members to stand in solidarity, uplift and learn from Indigenous voices, and commit to action that respects tribal sovereignty and supports sustainable change. Together, we must honor those lost, support survivors, and work toward a future where Indigenous women and girls are protected, valued, and safe.
As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, let's continue to reflect on the critical role of Indigenous leaders in creating sustainable solutions, while committing ourselves to anti-racism, cultural preservation, and solidarity with Indigenous communities. By supporting Indigenous-led movements and advocating for the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous people, we collectively move towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
To learn more about getting involved, explore the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women and the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center. These organizations, along with many others, offer resources, learning materials, programming, policy information, funding, and opportunities for advocacy.
Citations
Urban Indian Health Institute. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls: A Snapshot of Data from 71 Urban Cities in the United States. Seattle, WA, 2018. https://www.uihi.org/resources/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-girls/
The Lending Library has been a long time benefit for members of NCCASA. As times have changed, we have seen less checkouts which has left our shelves full. In order to adapt to what members tell us they need, we will be clearing our shelves and moving forward we will be doing orders of books that are directly sent to your agency without having to request. To make this transition we are asking for your help to get the books we have into the hands of your agency/advocates.
For those who are not familiar with the lending library, individuals could complete a checkout form and the book was sent directly to them. While the service was called "Lending Library" there was no lending. Once the book was requested, the individual/agency could keep it.
Starting today, agencies/individuals can order as many books they would like and multiple copies. The books will be first come, first serve.
We will actively remove books as they are checked out. To begin ordering, click here.
Click here for the application.
NCCASA now provides a new service that helps survivors with one of the steps to repair their credit. As part of the Debt Bondage Repair Act, survivors can remove adverse information from their credit report that is related to events that took place during and after their human trafficking experience. Poor credit bars survivors from things like housing, employment, or car purchases.
Survivors of human trafficking can have specific information blocked from their credit reports. Some examples provided by Polaris Project include: “prior evictions, late rental payments, credit card or loan defaults, unpaid bills that went to a collection agency, criminal convictions that were the result of a trafficking experience, and bankruptcy filings.”
Survivors must provide the following information for eligibility:
1. Proof of identity
2. Victim Determination Documentation
3. A list of what needs to be blocked that was a result of a survivor’s trafficking experience
NCCASA is an NGO authorized by the NC Department of Justice that can provide a Victim Determination Document (VDD): a signed document stating/attesting a person is a victim of human trafficking, as it is defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000:
● Sex trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining,patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the personinduced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age (22 USC § 7102).
● Labor trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery, (22 USC §7102).
To request information about obtaining from NCCASA a signed Victim Determination Document for credit repair as specified under the Debt Bondage Relief Act, please email [email protected] or call 919-871-1015.
Dear Advocates,
It is with a heavy heart that we reach out to you during this challenging time. Our state has once again faced a natural disaster.
In response, NCCASA, NCCADV, and CFWYI are collaborating to support our programs and survivors in the west. We are currently gathering information from the programs on their needs, understanding that these will become clearer as time progresses. We are committed to providing assistance and are implementing disaster relief protocols, given our state’s experience with such events.
Some programs are able to continue operating their crisis calls, while others have forwarded their lines to neighboring programs that are able to assist.
In these difficult times, it’s essential that we listen and allow those affected to communicate their needs. As you can imagine, programs impacted by Helene are navigating relief efforts and meeting the needs of the survivors they serve and the needs of their own friends and families. As a result, we ask that if you are able to offer assistance, resources, or support please reach out to one of the Coalitions and we will facilitate the connections. This will ensure the impacted programs are not overwhelmed by calls and messages during this challenging time. The exceptions would be if you are a neighboring program who could reach them with resources or you have a personal relationship with a staff member at an impacted program.
To our colleagues in the west, know that we are here for you and will continue to offer support as needed. To our colleagues in the east, we will keep you updated on how you can contribute.
Thank you for your compassion and partnership,
CFWYI, NCCASA & NCCADV