CASH Creates Hope Beyond Human Trafficking

Sawan Vaden: [00:00:00] I was kidnapped when I was 13, and then I was trafficked again at the age of 18. Progressively, it kind of grows to where I'm a substance abuse counselor at the same recovery home that I went to because of my own addictions. Now, as a homeowner of three homes, I'm married, I have children, I have a career that I love, I'm present and stable-minded, you know, and I, I have faith, and those, those are things that really ground me.

And so when the women walk through, they see themselves and they're like, "Wow, it's possible."

Jeff Holden: Welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. Our purpose and passion are simple: to highlight the incredible nonprofits that make our community stronger. Each episode is a chance for these organizations to tell their story in their words, sharing not just what they [00:01:00] do, but why it matters to the people they serve, to their supporters, and to all of us who believe in the power of community.

Through podcasting, we hope to amplify their voices, inspire connection, and give them one more tool to impact the hearts of donors, partners, and neighbors alike. Our work is made possible through the generous support of our partners. Cap Trust, offering fiduciary advice for endowments and foundations.

Western Health Advantage, a local not-for-profit health plan that believes healthcare is more than coverage, it's about caring. Core, executive leadership and comprehensive support services. They work in it so you can work on it. And Five Star Bank, a local trusted advisor to community nonprofits for over 25 years.

Our episode sponsor is Sacramento Venture Philanthropy, a community of generosity combining people, expertise, and [00:02:00] capital for good. This episode is powered by SMUD, Sacramento Municipal Utility District's Shine Awards program benefiting nonprofits for energy efficiency. Apply today. Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are difficult subjects to confront, but they are very real issues affecting women, young people, and families throughout our Sacramento community.

Community Against Sexual Harm, better known as CASH, provides a safe, nonjudgmental place where survivors can find food, medical care, counseling, employment assistance, peer mentorship, and long-term support. It's an organization built not simply to provide services, but to walk alongside women for as long as their journey requires.

My guest is CASH Executive Director Sawan Vaden, whose connection to this work is deeply personal. Sawan first came to CASH as a client. Today, she leads the organization, and nearly [00:03:00] 80% of its staff members also bring their own lived experience to the women they serve. We'll talk about the choices survivors are forced to make, why demand for CASH's services has grown so dramatically, and the organization's campaign to transform a donated building into a larger, more complete center for healing, stability, and hope.

This is a powerful story of survival, compassion, and what becomes possible when people are given 

SMUD: a safe place to believe in themselves again. Sawan 

Jeff Holden: Vaden, welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. 

Sawan Vaden: Thank you for having me. 

Jeff Holden: This has taken us a little while to get together, and I am really excited to be able to speak with you because the topic that we're talking about is so prolific.

Uh, Sacramento has an unusual distinction of a high rate of human trafficking because of the confluence of our freeways and the nature of our community, and that's one of the primary services that CASH [00:04:00] or Community Against Sexual Harm provides. In order to get us started, would you first help us identify the organization?

Tell us a little bit about it and what it is you're accomplishing in Sacramento. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. So again, thank you for having me here. I am thrilled to be able to speak about the issue of trafficking in Sacramento and the different things that CASH has going on in Sacramento. CASH is an organization that was first founded back in 2008, and what started us off was we had a few officers, pop officers, Cindy Stinson and Susan Feenstra, who were working the area of Broadway and Stockton Boulevard, and they were tasked with addressing trafficking and prostitution in that area.

And there was, were a lot of community members who were complaining about the issue. And so like any good cop, they thought that they could arrest the problem away, and they would arrest the women, and then soon the women would be right back on the streets. And so they had to ask themselves and the [00:05:00] people who were complaining like, "Is there another way of doing this?

What else can we do? Because what we're doing isn't working." And long story short, they put together, they partnered with some Sac State professors, community-based organizations, community members to put together a needs assessment to ask the women what it, it was that they needed. And what they found was that the women needed a non-judgmental, safe place to, to gather where they can have some of their basic needs met and have access to services.

And that's kind of the beginning of what CASH is. We received our 501[c] back in 2013 and have kind of just been pushing along ever since, starting with a drop-in center that was open a couple of nights a week From like 6:00 to 8:00 offering food and, and safety. And we've kind of now we're open five days a week.

We've got our own space that we rent, and we have a variety of services that we offer anyone [00:06:00] who's experienced trafficking or exploitation. And it's really exploitation. If someone, if a woman has experienced exploitation at any point in their lives, then CASH is the place for them. And a lot of people experience exploitation without even knowing it.

If you ever felt like you had to give yourself up for a place to stay or somewhere to eat or to be in a, in a safe s- place, but you had to give of yourself for that, then you would qualify for our services. We have a myriad of services that include our drop-in center, which is kind of the heart of who we are.

W- anyone is welcome, and we have food, hot food every day that we cook. We have a drop-in... We have a clothing closet, peer mentoring, and groups. And then we have comprehensive case management services where if someone's saying, "You know, I, I need a, a hand with getting out of the life, with regaining stability in my mine and my children's life," then we have case managers that can work with them hand-in-hand to help them access housing, find employment, sign up for [00:07:00] benefits, whatever it looks like, go to medical appointments, really walk with them through their journey, and that program's usually a year to two years.

And then we have an employment program where it really just focuses on employment and removing barriers to employment. And so anyone coming in that's like, "Hey, you know, really need help with a resume, would love to, um, g- develop some soft skills so that I can know how to interview," or, "I need someone to take me to these interviews or walk me through these processes," then we have a program just for them.

Um, and then we have a free medical clinic partnered with Dignity Health Medical Safe Haven, where we're open a few days a week. Hopefully we'll be open five days a week soon. Um- 

Jeff Holden: We're gonna get to that 

Sawan Vaden: in just a minute ... and we will get to that. Where they can just come and get their medical needs met. No need for insurance, no need for ID, no need for anything.

We cover the cost of labs, medications, and the cost of the exam, and it's basically like a urgent care. [00:08:00] And really, having that clinic there has saved many lives with people coming in who haven't accessed medical care in many years, and now they are establishing medical care with their own provider and feel comfortable talking to physicians.

And then we have our RESET program. Our RESET program is one of our original programs where we partner with the Superior Court of Sacramento, and anyone arrested for prostitution is offered an eight-week class that they can complete, and their charges is c- their charges are vacated, so as, as if the arrest never happened, and they're connected to CASH and can have access to all kinds of services.

Jeff Holden: That is a plethora of service and provision to the community. Are you geographically restricted, so to speak? Do you just work in a particular area, or where do you see most of the people coming from? Where do you s- and I'm assuming it's mostly women. 

Sawan Vaden: Yes. So yeah, women and youth. 

Jeff Holden: Yes. 

Sawan Vaden: [00:09:00] Um, so before I answer that question, we also have a therapies, a therapy program.

We offer- But wait, 

Jeff Holden: there's more ... 

Sawan Vaden: but wait, there's more. We have a therapy program, and we have youth programming. So anyone that we get referrals from probation and juvenile hall and CPS and parents with youth that could use some additional support, we take a prevention program into schools, schools, churches, whatever is needed, and we do a lot of community education.

So community education is key to our mission, um, educating the community about the harms inflicted on women in our community. And we are located in Oak Park, so that's kind of where we are, but we serve women all around Sacramento and surrounding cities. 

Jeff Holden: Well, I would imagine certainly if the opportunity is there and they happen to be in proximity and the timing is just right, they can come in.

That's part of your walk-in- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: opportunity to really share with them what's going on. Is there a particular program that you see or programs that you see more prolifically used than others? [00:10:00] 

Sawan Vaden: So our case management programs are, are pretty robust. Each case manager can hold a caseload of about 20 to 25.

Jeff Holden: Oh, wow. 

Sawan Vaden: And they, they typically are... stay pretty, pretty full. It ebbs and flows, but women really wanting that additional support. They, they may not have had any real good teachers that taught them how to, how to live life. Um, what is life skills? What is it to parent? How do we parent in a healthy way? How do we live life on a new budget without having access to all the rest of the things that were in their previous life?

And so our case management programs are pretty robust and our employment program. 

Jeff Holden: This is a, an aside on a question, but do you have an idea what the return rate is? I mean, how many women go through the program and actually integrate into society versus fall back into rough situations? 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. So I think that we don't have a [00:11:00] recidivism rate necessarily, but...

So CASH is a place where women can come forever. We-- It's never, "Oh, you completed the program, now you're done." It's, "Oh, you completed the program. Please come back," and, um- We're here for you- And we're here for you- ... all the time ... all the time. And so we have, we have women who graduate who are successful. We were just trying to identify who would be our Phoenix Award nominee for this year for our, our, our annual fundraiser, and we...

the list has continued to grow. So we have women who do complete the program and are wildly successful. And then we have women who it takes a little bit of time. Sure. You have to imagine if you've lived a life, you're 30 years old, and more than half of your life you've lived a certain way, it's gonna take longer than a year or two to learn how to be stabilized and to relearn how to live life the last life you've lived for 15 years.

And so we u- we are understanding of that, and we know that it can take time. So sometimes we have [00:12:00] people who re-enroll into our programs three and four times. 

Jeff Holden: The good news is they are. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: That's, that's not a bad thing. 

Sawan Vaden: No, it's 

Jeff Holden: not a bad thing. They, they recognize that they need the help. They come and they do what they need to do.

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. And then about 70, 80% of our staff were former clients And so we- 80%? About 80%, myself included. I was a client back in 2014 and came back in 2016 as a substance abuse counselor and anti-trafficking case manager, and I kinda just worked my way up through the organization and now I'm the executive director.

But we have other staff members who were clients and participated in lots of different programs and they kind of just were like, "You know what? I wanna, I wanna be here too. Like, I see myself helping. I want to be where you are." And they are. And so our employment specialists, our drop-in center coordinator, our program manager, our anti-trafficking case ma- everyone.

Literally every- Yeah, 

Jeff Holden: 80%, right? That's right Eight 

Sawan Vaden: out 

Jeff Holden: of 

Sawan Vaden: 10 [00:13:00] people. There's only, there's only two people who aren't, who, who haven't been former clients or who haven't given to the organization in some way. 

Jeff Holden: What a testament to the program. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: In two ways. First of all, the competency that you've developed through the program for people to step into these roles.

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: But secondly, that they are fully engaged now and progressing through the organization. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And I'm sure sometimes you lose them to other opportunities- Yeah ... but that's a good thing. 

Sawan Vaden: That's a good thing. 

Jeff Holden: Yes. 

Sawan Vaden: That's a good thing, and sometimes they're afraid to do that. Like, "Oh, no, I owe CASH so much."

It's like, "No, honey. This is like, this is where you learn, and you learn to be who you were made to be, and then you move on." We've had a few staff members recently, just in the past couple of years, who were with CASH for the time that they were supposed to be with CASH, and now they're doing amazing things in different organizations like WEAVE and Wellspace Health.

And so, um, it's like the, the where you build your foundation. Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And speaking of foundations, now you've been there for a little over 10 [00:14:00] years? 

Sawan Vaden: A little o- yeah, May was 10 years. 

Jeff Holden: Congratulations. 

Sawan Vaden: Thank you. 

Jeff Holden: From the bottom up 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah, from the bottom. 

Jeff Holden: From, from a client- Started from the bottom, now we here ... all the way to running the organization.

Yeah. So, and, and knowing that you've got the people with that much familiarity, what an incredible relationship they can have with clients- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: because they can relate, and that's not the case all the time for, for, for many organizations. It's, uh, it's one side here and the other side here. Yeah. They're still doing great work, but that relativity to the situation to be able to talk the talk and walk the walk and say, "I've been there, I understand"- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah

Jeff Holden: is so, so different. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. We have a wall when you first come in and walk through the center. We have a wall with all of the staff with, with lived experiences pictures. And so the first picture at the bottom for me, I'll, I'll use myself as ex- as an example. I was kidnapped when I was 13. 

Jeff Holden: Hmm. 

Sawan Vaden: And there's a missing child flyer that we kind of put together to fit in this [00:15:00] frame.

And then I was trafficked again at the age of 18, and progressively it kind of grows to where I'm a substance abuse counselor at the same recovery home that I went to because of my own addictions, and then my first year at CAST celebrating my birthday and, and my success in my new job. And then where I am now as a homeowner of three homes.

I'm married, I have children, I have a career that I love. I'm present and stable-minded, you know, and, and I have faith, and those, those are things that really ground me. And so when the women walk through, they see themselves at that, in that bottom picture. Mm-hmm. Like, "Man, that was me." And they're like, "Wow, it's possible."

Because in their, in their... Some of, in some of these women's lives, they don't see that possibility. For generations, people live in poverty, and this is the life that they know, the life that their whole f- generations have known. 

Jeff Holden: Right. 

Sawan Vaden: And to see a possibility of getting out, to see that that can be also them really gives [00:16:00] them hope and a sense of connectedness.

Jeff Holden: And, and there's two things I wanna capture in that conversation. You said three children, but as we speak- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: there is a fourth on the way. 

Sawan Vaden: There's a fourth on the way. 

Jeff Holden: Due- Due, 

Sawan Vaden: yes ... 

Jeff Holden: in November. 

Sawan Vaden: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: Which is incredible. This is a first. I have not had a pregnant woman in the studio ever in two and a half years, so- 

Sawan Vaden: You're welcome

Jeff Holden: I'm, I'm privileged to have you s- Yes ... you both sitting here. 

Sawan Vaden: Thank you. 

Jeff Holden: And then the other thing that you mentioned is, is really a great segue to the next question, and that is The collaborative nature of what you do. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: You mentioned WEAVE. There's, there's one organization. Who are some of the organizations that you find yourself working with in the community?

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. Gosh, so we work really closely with City of Refuge. We've worked with them for many years. W- uh, Rochelle Ditmore, Rochelle and Lauren Ditmore, or Lauren and Rochelle Ditmore, the Ditmores, and they're in Oak Park, and they do housing, and so we've partnered with them for many years for that specific thing, housing.

[00:17:00] And then other things too, partnering on grants together and just really figuring out how do we serve the community best. And so we'll always be partners. Um, so it's one of our, like, strong-rooted partners. 

Jeff Holden: And I'm gonna s- and I just wanna interject a second. You said something, partnering on grants- 

Sawan Vaden: Yes

Jeff Holden: which is such a critical thing at this point in time with funding changing- Yeah ... and the way that things are coming down. The necessity to work with other organizations- Yes ... to pull that revenue or that money in is so significant. I, I applaud you for that because a lot of organizations are just now trying to figure out, what are we gonna do?

Yeah. Well, it's work together- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: is what we're gonna do. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah, yeah. Family Justice Center, so- 

Jeff Holden: I was gonna say that when you were talking about it. Yeah. I said, but I didn't know for sure that, uh- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah, so we partner on, on a, on a anti-trafficking grant- Yeah ... and it works well, and it works well when you partner together.

And CASH is a little bit of a smaller organization, and some larger organizations can take on that fiscal responsibility. Mm-hmm. And so really finding out who are the partners that we can really partner [00:18:00] with, 'cause sometimes, you know, I, I hate to say it, but sometimes it feels like we're in competition, especially when we're in this town and which is big, but kinda feels small.

Scott Thomas: Yes. 

Sawan Vaden: Especially in the anti-trafficking world, and we're all competing for the same grants, you know, and, and it can feel like a competition. But how do we partner together to ensure that we're serving best? And that's what City of Refuge and Family Justice Center does is we partner together to see how we serve best.

And then not only are we partnering to-together on grants, but also on how do we commu- how do we educate the community best? How do we educate our staff best? How do we do this and lead best? 

Jeff Holden: And you mentioned CPS and, and law enforcement and, and medical with- Mm-hmm ... with Dignity Health. Yes, 

Sawan Vaden: yes. I 

Jeff Holden: mean, these are all such critical elements that come together either from identification and support to integration and- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah

Jeff Holden: and exit. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. The DA's office, the Superior Court, like really making sure that [00:19:00] Sacramento Police Department, we've partnered with them. You know, we were founded by police officers. 

Jeff Holden: Right. 

Sawan Vaden: And so really making sure that we are not only supporting them in their work, but really showing them how to treat women who have experienced exploitation and trafficking, because there are so many biases connected to women that you see walking the street, and so many judgments that people have, and it, and it impacts the way that they treat them.

And so really, we've worked really closely with Sacramento Police Department, and they have shifted the way that they address trafficking, where it really is going after the demand. The reason why the women are out there in the beginning is because there's people out there who, who are seeking to purchase them.

Jeff Holden: Exploitation 

Sawan Vaden: too, right. Right? Like, that's why they're out there. And so when we can address the demand and help the people who are being sold, it'll actually make an impact. And so really focusing on demand and the people who are putting the women out there, the exploiters, the traffickers, [00:20:00] right? What they're doing is also wrong, and the women need support.

So Sac PD really gets that and have been working diligently to ensure that whenever they're doing operations or whenever they're engaging with someone, they have an advocate or someone that can be there to support the women as they learn to exit. And even if they don't exit, they have the information for when they're ready.

Jeff Holden: And would I be correct in the comment that the majority of those women are not out there of their own free will? 

Sawan Vaden: And so yes, and choice. We, we often think of choice as I'm choosing to live this lifestyle because this is the best choice that I have versus I'm making a choice to survive because I don't have any other means of survival- Mm-hmm

or I haven't learned any other means of survival. Or when you see a youth that's out there, it's I'm at home being abused by my father [00:21:00] And then there's this guy that comes who's offering me all of these wonderful things, and he's not abusing me yet, and he's, and he's not my father, and I get to eat, and I get to have nice things.

What choice is she making? 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Sawan Vaden: Right? Like, when, when we think of choice, we have to think of the entire picture and what the choices are that they choose because someone who has privilege and access and, you know, just a free ride isn't going to choose prostitution. That's not the choice they're gonna make.

And so I just want people to understand that no one's really choosing if they have good choices. 

Jeff Holden: And it's almost the lesser or, or the better of two bad options. Two... 

Sawan Vaden: Exactly. 

Jeff Holden: And then at some point, I would imagine it turns into fear. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And then, then it's just survival. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. And, in some instances is it is just fear.

In some instances, you're not ch- choosing, you're being forced. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Sawan Vaden: You're being [00:22:00] trafficked. You might have s- what they call a gorilla pimp who forces you to be out there and makes you be out there. And so there's all different types of reasons why you may see someone that is out on the streets or online being trafficked.

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. Let's talk a little bit about funding. How is the organization funded? 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. So we're, we're largely grant funded. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Sawan Vaden: And so really seeking for grants. Our employment program is a California Reinvestment Community Grant, which is the marijuana tax grant. Cal OES, California Office of Emergency Services.

Mm-hmm. They have grants, a Victim of Crime Act grant. Different foundations have grants, and then we do fundraising and have annual fundraisers and individual contributions. And then 

Jeff Holden: you said your, your an- and your annual event is every October is when you- 

Sawan Vaden: Well, it was, it was An Evening in September, and so it was every September.

And then this year, just circumstances has it that we're in October, [00:23:00] and we've renamed it to Envision. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Sawan Vaden: So An Evening in October. AEIO, All We Need Is You. Uh- I love it ... You're full of acronyms. I am. 

Jeff Holden: C- CASH, AEIO.

Sawan Vaden: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: AEI... Say 

Sawan Vaden: it again? An Evening in October. Oh. AEIO, the vowels. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. I wish that was it, but- AEIOU ... 

Sawan Vaden: but 

Jeff Holden: you was at the end of that, right? Yeah. 

Sawan Vaden: AEIOU? All We Need Is You. 

Jeff Holden: Got 

Sawan Vaden: it. Yes, yes. But it's Envision. And so yes, we have our annual fundraiser. And then individual donations, you know, people giving on a regular basis that really care about our mission, are for our mission, and, you know, set up reoccurring payments or give when we do our annual appeal, big day of giving, just different- Mm-hmm

opportunities for people to give. 

Jeff Holden: We'll continue the conversation with Sawan Vaden of Communities Against Sexual Harm, or CASH, following a few brief messages from those who make this critical programming possible. 

SMUD: Make our communities bright with SMUD Shine Awards. Now through July 31st, [00:24:00] your nonprofit can apply for a chance to receive funding for projects that improve and revitalize communities in our service area.

We're seeking proposals that support zero carbon workforce development, affordability and community resiliency, economic development, and STEM education. SMUD Shine Awards are competitive and funds are limited. Submit your proposal by July 31st. Learn more at smud.org/shine. 

James Beckwith: I'm James Beckwith, president and CEO of Five Star Bank.

We're dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations who advocate for the strength, resilience, and vitality of those they serve. When nonprofit organizations thrive, our community does too. By supporting the Nonprofit Podcast Network, Five Star Bank is amplifying the voices and meaningful impact of our nonprofit community.

We're Five Star Bank, a trusted nonprofit partner. How can we help you? 

Darrell Teat: We are really [00:25:00] excited to be part of the family and contribute to the work that you all are doing. CXORE provides fractional and interim executive services along with comprehensive back office solutions that go into our client sites and do the work to give them the capacity they need in order to move through transitions, whether that's planned or unplanned, or companies also work with our accounting and finance back office solutions, human resources, technology, and administration.

The reason why our back office solutions add value is because we save them time and money, anywhere from 20% to 30% of what they would spend on that back office solution. We work in it so they can actually work on it. CXORE.com and contact me directly at DTEAT@CXORE.com. 

Jeff Holden: If you're interested in learning more about how CXORE may help your organization, visit CXORE.com.

Scott Thomas: Hello, this is [00:26:00] Scott Thomas with CapTrust in our Sacramento office. I specialize in working with local nonprofits and associations. Annually, we survey private and public nonprofit organizations across the country to better understand challenges they see in today's environment. In our more recent survey, we heard concerns about proper board governance, mission-aligned investment, and how to implement alternate investments.

If you would like a copy of the survey or to discuss your organization, look me up, scottthomas@captrust.com. 

Jeff Holden: At Western Health Advantage, healthcare isn't just a service, it's a shared value. As a nonprofit leader, you need a health plan that understands the importance of mission-driven work. Western Health Advantage is a local not-for-profit health plan that supports organizations like yours with affordable, flexible coverage options for your team.

But what truly sets them apart is their commitment to community, supporting nonprofits like the American Heart Association, [00:27:00] Sacramento Ballet, and the Crocker Art Museum's Pay What You Wish Sundays. With access to top-tier providers and dedicated local support, Western Health Advantage is more than a health plan.

It's a partner in your purpose. Explore your options today at westernhealth.com. Western Health Advantage, healthcare with heart, designed for those who give back. 

Brad Squires: Hi, I'm Brad Squires, CEO of Sacramento Venture Philanthropy. For more than a decade, SVP has brought together local donors, business leaders, and nonprofit change makers to do philanthropy differently.

Through pooled funding, hands-on mentorship, and programs like Fast Pitch and 100X, SVP helps nonprofits build real long-term capacity, not just short-term solutions. If you're looking to go beyond writing the check and want to use your experience, your voice, your leadership to create a lasting impact and have a lot of fun doing it, now is the [00:28:00] time to join SVP.

Learn more about becoming a partner at svpsacramento.org. 

Jeff Holden: I'm gonna give you an opportunity to think big- Okay ... for a second. A donor comes through, loves what you're doing, Oak Park resident maybe, and, and says, "This is significant to benefiting our community. Give me a good enough idea to write you a blank check."

What would it look like? 

Sawan Vaden: What would the number be? 

Jeff Holden: Nope. 

Sawan Vaden: Oh. 

Jeff Holden: No. No, the number's whatever you need it to be. Whatever, whatever. 

Sawan Vaden: I 

Jeff Holden: want a blank- What would you do if somebody said, "Here's an astronomical amount of-" 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: money"? 

Sawan Vaden: I would build housing. I would, I would... So we have our capital campaign that we're, we're launching right now for our building.

Sierra Health Foundation has gifted us a building on Alhambra, which used to be the old Observer building. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, I know exactly which 

Sawan Vaden: building it 

Jeff Holden: is, 

Sawan Vaden: yes. Yeah. Um, and I have a story behind that, but I'll, I'll wait if we have time. And I've always wanted to build [00:29:00] housing on top of our building, and so, so that we had everything literally in one stop.

'Cause right now we're like, "Oh, we're a one-stop shop," but we don't have housing, and housing is a big issue. And so build housing, and then build additional housing, like first-step housing where you're just getting stable, and then maybe even building small homes where people can own them and then sell them and then buy their forever home.

Like, how do we build social capital? How do we really remove generations out of poverty and out of dysfunction and out of trauma into stability and wealth? Like, a blank check, I would do just that. 

Jeff Holden: And that would give people the opportunity then to fully assimilate- Yes ... through a process as opposed to, "Here you go."

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And many times that's frightening. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: You know, we recently did an episode with an organization that is helping youth who get into their first apartment. 

Sawan Vaden: Mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: And [00:30:00] typically foster youth. Well, that's good, but there's nothing in it. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And, and they help 'em furnish it and everything, but how many times does that happen?

And I would imagine the same with your clients. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: They get out, "We got a place for you. This is great," and maybe they are good with the rent, but then what? Especially if they have a child. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: You know? S- sleeping bags. I mean, just all those things- Yeah ... that come with everything. 

Sawan Vaden: Everything. 

Jeff Holden: I love the idea of stacking it.

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Because literally you could, you know, first story is this, second story is this, third story is that. Yeah. What a great idea. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. That's what I would do. 

Jeff Holden: And then back to reality today. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: What is, what is the greatest need? Where do you find the greatest need for the organization? 

Sawan Vaden: Our greatest need right now is our building campaign.

So right now- 

Jeff Holden: Let's, let's, and let's, now let's get into that. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. '

Jeff Holden: Cause that's a big deal. 

Sawan Vaden: That's a big deal. It's a really big deal, and it is such a blessing for us, such a dream come true. Um, and everything has just lined up perfectly. And so right now [00:31:00] we're, we're in 3,200 square feet, and we do everything that I mentioned- 

Jeff Holden: All of those services are going through- All of-

3,200 square feet? Yes. How many people? 

Sawan Vaden: We serve about 40 to 50 people a day. 

Jeff Holden: A day? 

Sawan Vaden: A day. And we have about 10 to 12 staff, depending on the day, that might be in the building. I no longer have my own office. I share a office with my f- uh, my finance director. Everyone has shared offices. We have four office spaces.

We use every space as a multipurpose room. We can barely hold the people that we serve because our, our women come with their children, and we cook really good meals, and they come to eat, and everyone's kind of just sitting on top of each other. We have our clinic, but we only have one exam room, so when it gets busy- The 

Jeff Holden: clinic is part of the same 3,200 square feet?

Sawan Vaden: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: Oh my gosh. 

Sawan Vaden: Yes. We only have one exam room, so when it gets busy, like, we're just piling on top of each other. But we're making it work, and we're doing really good work, but we need more space. And so our new building [00:32:00] on Alhambra is 8,550 square feet. 

Jeff Holden: Almost triple. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. And it's beautiful and it's- And I'll 

Jeff Holden: bet you know exactly what to do with 

Sawan Vaden: it.

I know exactly. Yeah, when I walk... It's a, it's a weird shaped building. It's like a triangle. 

Jeff Holden: Uh-huh. 

Sawan Vaden: But it's exactly what we need. We need to expand our youth services, and so we're gonna have a little teen center in the corner on the opposite side of our drop-in center. We're gonna have two exam rooms.

We're gonna have a full kitchen. Right now the kitchen that we have is not really a kitchen. It's a room with a sink and a refrigerator. And so we have a little convention oven, we have air fryer, we have slow cookers, and we cook amazing meals in those things. But oh, the day when we can have this full kitchen and do cooking classes, and the women can help and participate, and we can cook full sheet pans of lasagna and just different things that we can really nourish the women and children that we serve on a daily basis.

We'll have [00:33:00] full bathrooms. So we have a bathroom, we have bathrooms now, but it's real small toilet and sink. We need showers. We serve a really large homeless population and just imagine the things that happen with women when they're homeless and the needs that they have, and there's not many places for them to shower.

And we've had to really help women get cleaned up ourselves. And so having a shower that you can be proud of to come into where it's not sterile in any way and it feels like home. Mm-hmm. So we're gonna have two full size home bathrooms where the women can go and just do their, do their thing and get themselves together.

They'll have to have a timer, but that's okay. Sure. We'll have a children's room. Our children's room right now is really small, but we make it work. We have toys and things, but we'll have a full-size children's room where the kids can go and play, and we'll have activities, and we'll have programming for the kids.

We'll just have all of these things. We'll have storage. 

Jeff Holden: I can see your [00:34:00] face just lighting up as you're explaining this- Yeah ... 'cause people who are just listening don't see what your face looks like. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah, 

Jeff Holden: I'm so- And it is just beaming to- Yeah ... to get into the facility, and you're describing it humanly.

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: It's not, "Oh, we're gonna get 2,600 square feet more and this and that." No, you're talking about the experience of the people- Yeah ... who are going to get to use it, and that's, that's important. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: That's important for the people who are hearing the stories, obviously. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: But it's equally as important for the clients who are the beneficiaries of what you're doing.

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. Yeah, they're gonna be... They're just gonna be at home. When you walk into CASH, it feels like home. And so that's, like, the... Everyone says it. It's like if... It's really, like, a homey feeling. It's comfortable. Sometimes has a few smells, but, you know, nothing some air freshener can't get rid of. And it feels like home.

And so we're... My, my goal is to take that same feeling with freshness to the new building, where when you walk in, it's... Nothing is sterile about it. You know that you're [00:35:00] comfortable. You know that your needs are gonna be met. We have therapy rooms and different things that can really meet the woman where they're at right there in that moment without any requirement to change who she is.

And often when you go into these places, it's like, "Okay, if you come here for services, you've gotta do this, this, this, and this." It was like, "Come, come. Be who you are. Let us love on you. Let us show you what's possible, and wait for you to make the decision to do-" Mm-hmm ... something if that's what you choose to do."

And some women that we have come, they just remain who they are, and at some point the light bulb goes off and they're like, "Well, maybe I will participate in this group." 

Darrell Teat: Mm-hmm. "

Sawan Vaden: Oh, maybe I will do this," or, "Maybe I will do that." And before you know it, their whole lives have changed just from us being able to allow them to be who they are in a space that they feel comfortable in and not judged.

Jeff Holden: Yeah, that acceptance and that safety and that security of recognition that you have with 80% of your people being clients. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: That is a really unique situation. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, very, very unique. [00:36:00] Let's talk a little bit about that capital campaign that you've got, because it's gonna be going on for a, a bit. I, I don't wanna date the episode that we're having here, but it's significant.

So tell us a little bit about, you know, w- what's happening. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. So right now- 

Jeff Holden: You've got this almost 9,000 square foot building- Yep ... that you're transitioning to. 

Sawan Vaden: Yep. We're, we're interviewing for an architect so that we can get designs built up, and we'll be putting out an RFP f- an RFP for our contractor, and we're, we're soon to release our capital campaign deck, which I will send to you.

Jeff Holden: Please. 

Sawan Vaden: And, and yeah, so we'll have different naming opportunities where if an organization or a person would like to put their name on the drop-in center, and their name's on the drop-in center, and they give $250,000, or if they've got 5,000 and we have a brick wall with their name on it, and, or just different opportunities where people can feel like they're involved and can feel like they're really a part of it.

So we're also looking for [00:37:00] furniture, and we'll need computers, and we'll need restroom stuff in, a refrigerator and stoves. And so looking for things, donations like that once we get- Mm-hmm ... to that point, and connections. Like, like who do you know that can do some of this work and some blood, sweat, and tears- 

Darrell Teat: Yes

Sawan Vaden: to do the work. And, and yeah. I've never... I've... Full transparency, I've never done a capital campaign. I've never developed a building. All of this stuff is brand new to me, so there's so much learning that I have to do. And so I'm also very open to advisement, and people who know what they're doing, tell me how to do it.

Jeff Holden: I am so glad you said that- Yeah ... because I suspect that somebody's gonna hear this and reach out. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And that's, m- that, that, that just warms my heart because Your candidness, you know, your transparency to say, "Hey, it's new to me." 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And, and anywhere [00:38:00] I can get some support and some help and, you know, some, some actual experience- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah

Jeff Holden: to apply to what we're doing, 'cause it's a big deal. 

Sawan Vaden: It's a big deal. It is a big deal. It's a big deal. And, and it's a big deal that won't just pact- impact me and the staff that we have and the current clients that we have. 

Jeff Holden: This is in perpetuity. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: This goes for a long, long time. 

Sawan Vaden: A long time.

And it's ours. 

Jeff Holden: Yes. 

Sawan Vaden: You know? The building will belong to us, and it will belong... If it belongs to CASH, it belongs to the community. 

Jeff Holden: Right. 

Sawan Vaden: And so, yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Well, we talked a little bit about the, the programs. We talked about the, the women and the families, the women and children that you, you service. How do you gauge your impact?

How do you say, "We know we're doing good because..." If you're even maybe sharing it with a donor or somebody who's philanthropically minded and says, "Well, what does that impact look like?" 

Sawan Vaden: I think [00:39:00] it looks a few ways. So often when I'm telling our story, I talk about how many people we serve in a year. Last year we served 645 women.

Jeff Holden: That's amazing. When you said 40 a day, I was shocked. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. And, and, and that's an unduplicated number, 'cause often we have a lot of the same women that come back. But we also have success through the stories and the lives that we see. 

Jeff Holden: That's, that's 

Sawan Vaden: more important. And, and success can look different for many people, and sometimes we have to shift the way we see success and look at the incremental wins, 'cause CASH is really harm reduction.

And so we really want to reduce the harm in women's lives while giving them access to services that will change their lives. And so for someone who's been homeless for 30 years on the streets that moves into a one-bedroom apartment, that lives there for five years [00:40:00] without being homeless, but then passes away from cancer- 

Jeff Holden: Hmm

Sawan Vaden: the success in that is that she was able to pass away in her home and no longer be on the streets. A young lady that was clean and sober for 15 months after using for 20 years, relapses, and then knows to come back and ask for help, and gets back into a recovery home, that's success. 

Darrell Teat: Mm-hmm. 

Sawan Vaden: Because she knew to come back.

She knew that it was possible and that she could get the services that she needed at CASH. Children who have the education that they need and are able to identify when trafficking is about to happen, and they report it to their teacher and get themselves out of that risky behavior, get themselves out of that, that situation, that's success.

Our staff are our success. The way that we're blessed all the time and things are happening for us shows us that we're doing good work in the [00:41:00] community. So I think it depends on who we're talking to and what their interest is and how to say the story, because we've got success in many ways, and we really need people to see success the way that we see success.

It is not always, "Oh, she graduated from the program, now she's an RN," and 'cause that's not everyone's story. 

Jeff Holden: And that exists. 

Sawan Vaden: And that exists. But you're 

Jeff Holden: right, that's- 

Sawan Vaden: I mean, we've got lots of successful people ... there's a spectrum- There's a, there's a spectrum ... of success, yes.

There's a spectrum. We've got lots of successful people who are doing really well and are, and are living their lives. They're not, they're not doing the same kind of work, but they're RNs and they're a probation officer out in Woodland, and they're just doing all of these amazing things in their journey, and we were a drop in their bucket, right?

'Cause we're not also the creator of the success. Right. Right? They are the creator of their success, their choices, the things that they decided to do and how they chose to take advantage of the services that were available to them. They're the reason why they're successful. We were just guides. Mm-hmm.[00:42:00] 

Jeff Holden: Well, you gave them the ability to make good choices- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: and then to act on them. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And they turned out favorably. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: As more often than not they do. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And that's wonderful. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: I, I love the explanation. You, you did a beautiful job of that, especially with just a little tiny stat at the front, but then cascade into all the touch points, and that's what people wanna hear.

They wanna hear how did it work, and, and does it work, and is it working? And the fact that you're here almost 20-some years later clearly exemplifies the fact that something's going right. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Sadly, you're still here 20 years later. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: You know, we, we wish at some point that a lot of this didn't happen, but I'm going to imagine that it probably is not getting any better in some cases.

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. No, it's not. You know, for me, what success is, is we have no more clients- Right, right ... and we work ourselves [00:43:00] out of a job. 

Jeff Holden: That's correct. 

Sawan Vaden: But that's not gonna happen. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah. Have you seen, like, a greater demand over the course of, let's say, the last five years? And, and I say this, I'll give a, a reference point.

Our food insecure population has almost quadrupled since the pandemic. The food banks are, are talking about the amazing demand that they've got on them, and I don't mean that in a good way. The good is that they're able to fulfill and serve- Yeah ... but the unfortunate is that it's grown. And then the other part of that is our, obviously our, our unhoused population- Yeah

whether it be permanent or, or temporary, doesn't seem to be getting much better either. And I'm assuming that- 

Sawan Vaden: It's the same. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. Over the past, yeah, kind of since the pandemic- 

Jeff Holden: Right ... 

Sawan Vaden: but I would say even, even more in the past three or four years, we, we were at a point where we only served, like, five to 10 people a day.

Jeff Holden: Oh. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. We- 

Jeff Holden: And now you're at 40 in some cases. 

Sawan Vaden: [00:44:00] And now we're 40, 50 people a day that come in, in, come in and out through our centers for v- various reasons. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Sawan Vaden: We were at a point where we'd do maybe one to two intakes a week. We're at a point we're doing, like, 10 intakes in a week, where it's new people coming to us for services.

And so I don't think much of anything is getting better. 

Jeff Holden: Right. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: I, I'm glad you said that too, because it's important to understand that the need has never been greater- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah ... 

Jeff Holden: for some of the organizations that serve our community. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And the funding has never been greater. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And you can't provide the service without the support.

SMUD: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And, and it's what does it look like? And we, we talked a lot about that, and then we're starting to see that improve to where the organizations are coalescing and understanding that we can do a much better job together than we can alone. 

SMUD: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And that's important. We're gonna transition here for a second to- Okay

beyond the mission. This is beyond what you do on a day-to-day basis, [00:45:00] because you carry it with you all the time. 

SMUD: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And I would imagine even more so as a client. Having been in that situation, you recognize it in so many ways that somebody shows up that day, you take that person home in your head, you know, or, or persons, you know, home in your head, or that, that mother with children, and it makes it hard to, to break away.

But we're gonna talk a little bit about Sawuan, the person outside of CASH- Yeah ... for a second. We already know that you are expecting a fourth child. 

Sawan Vaden: Yes, 

Jeff Holden: number four. Congratulations. 

Sawan Vaden: Thank you. 

Jeff Holden: But let, let's go... We'll go through these rapidly. Are you an early bird or a night owl? 

Sawan Vaden: I am an early bird. I do not stay up late.

I, I really do- Well, especially 

Jeff Holden: today too, right? 

Sawan Vaden: Well, yeah. And I really do value sleep. Like, I'm like, I'm always trying to get eight hours of sleep. It's my goal. 

Jeff Holden: My, my wife is the same. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: It's, I, I recognize that and appreciate it. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. It's really important. 

Jeff Holden: Beach, mountains, city, or road trip? 

Sawan Vaden: Road trip [00:46:00] 

Jeff Holden: Favorite movie?

Sawan Vaden: Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Jeff Holden: Really? I love it. I love that movie. 

Sawan Vaden: All of them. 

Jeff Holden: And the soundtrack and the first one- Yeah ... is so, so, so good. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah, I don't know why. 

Jeff Holden: What did you wanna be when you were a kid? 

Sawan Vaden: A social worker. 

Jeff Holden: You're there. 

Sawan Vaden: I am. 

Jeff Holden: That's wonderful. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah, it is. 

Jeff Holden: What a great ambition. 

Sawan Vaden: And a missionary, so I'm on my way to missionary.

Jeff Holden: Fantastic. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Isn't it great to be able to apply what you wanted to do and live it? 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: What's a simple joy you never get tired of? 

Sawan Vaden: Eating pho.

Jeff Holden: That's, that's a first. I haven't heard anybody say that. 

Sawan Vaden: I love pho. 

Jeff Holden: What keeps you grounded when things get heavy? 

Sawan Vaden: My faith. 

Jeff Holden: Love that, too. 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Is there anyone that shaped how you lead? 

Sawan Vaden: My former executive director, Terry Galvan, who hired me on as [00:47:00] CASH, poured into me all that she had, and I owe a lot of my success to her.

A- 

Jeff Holden: and I think because of the last comments that you made or the last answers, I, I might know the answer to this one. If you weren't doing this work, what would you be doing? 

Sawan Vaden: I would probably be an, a missionary. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah. Yeah. That's what I figured you were gonna say. So, and, and last question. In, in one sentence or even just a couple of words, what are you grateful for today?

Sawan Vaden: My life. 

Jeff Holden: Good for you. That is so, so true, isn't it? 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Because you can't do anything else without it. 

Sawan Vaden: Nope. 

Jeff Holden: Well, Sawan, what a great conversation. I have really, really enjoyed this. Sadly but fortunately, what you do is so sorely needed. 

Darrell Teat: Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: And your explanation of impact from three, four, five, you know, in a day to 40 tells us that the need is greater than ever.

Darrell Teat: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: And to the team that you've [00:48:00] got, you know, that, that is a, a small group doing a whole lot of work- Yeah ... and benefiting the community to the g- degree that you are. The process that you're about to go through to get this capital campaign going and get you into that new building to triple the space- 

Sawan Vaden: Yeah

Jeff Holden: is Herculean. You'll probably- I like that ... you'll be raising a child at the same time of, of- I 

Sawan Vaden: will ... a new, 

Jeff Holden: a newborn And I am 

Sawan Vaden: not gonna... Yeah, and I am gonna stick with it the entire way through. Good. I'm, like, pushing the baby out. "What did they say?" 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, that's right. That's right. Oh, no, no. That's a sympathy call.

The baby's in your arms, and look. We're, "Hey, we just need another $5,000." 

Sawan Vaden: Yes, yes. Yes, because of babies. 

Jeff Holden: Well, thank you so much for what you do. 

Sawan Vaden: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: Let's go make something better. 

Sawan Vaden: We will. Thank you. 

Jeff Holden: This episode has been powered by SMUD, Sacramento Municipal Utility District's Shine Awards program benefiting nonprofits for energy efficiency.

Apply [00:49:00] today. Thank you for listening to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. We hope today's episode inspired you and gave you a deeper look into the work of our local nonprofits. If you believe in our mission to amplify their voices, please take a moment to leave us a positive review and share this episode with a friend.

It helps more people discover the incredible work happening in our community. Don't miss future episodes. Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly newsletter at nonprofitpod.com. And if you're a part of a nonprofit that would like to be featured, we'd love to hear from you. Just visit the guest tab on our website.

The Nonprofit Podcast Network is recorded and produced at Hear Me Now Studio with generous support from our partners, CapTrust, fiduciary advice for endowments and foundations, online at captrust.com, Western Health Advantage, local care with community impact. Find the plan that fits at westernhealth.com.

[00:50:00] Core, executive leadership and comprehensive support services. Visit cxore.com. And Five Star Bank, a local trusted advisor to community nonprofits for over 25 years, fivestarbank.com. And finally, our episode sponsor, Sacramento Venture Philanthropy, a community of generosity combining people, expertise, and capital for good, [00:51:00] sppsacramento.org.