In 2025, more individuals and families turned to LACASA for help, reflecting an ever-growing need for shelter, advocacy, counseling, and prevention services for victims and survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual violence across Livingston County.
LACASA’s Crisis Shelter operated at full capacity throughout the year, with an increased average length of stay for survivors working toward stability amid an increasingly dire shortage of affordable housing. The agency also responded to a higher volume of crisis calls, with staff and on-call volunteers providing around-the-clock support.
A notable shift in 2025 was a marked increase in sexual assault survivors seeking emergency shelter, underscoring the evolving and complex needs of survivors and the importance of having the full spectrum of interpersonal violence services under one roof.
Children remained central to LACASA’s work in 2025. More children received forensic interviews and counseling this year, helping them begin the healing process while minimizing additional trauma. Clinical services continued for survivors of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations, with an increase in the number of male survivors in counseling, reinforcing LACASA’s commitment to inclusive, trauma-informed care.
“Behind every statistic is a real person who reached out in need of help,” said LACASA President & CEO Bobette Schrandt. “As demand increases, it’s critical these services remain available to every survivor who needs them.”
Prevention efforts also expanded in 2025. LACASA served more families through its Healthy Families Livingston home visiting program, which supports parents during their child’s earliest years and helps prevent abuse before it begins. This increase stands in sharp contrast to the Michigan legislature’s recent decision to strip all funding for the nationally accredited program.
“Community support remains essential to ensuring survivors can access help when they need it most,” Schrandt said, adding that while government funding levels may fluctuate, the need for LACASA’s services does not.
Community engagement grew as well in 2025. More volunteers supported crisis response, advocacy, prevention education, and court-based services for children, bolstered by expanded hours at the LACASA Collection charity resale boutique and continued growth of the LACASA Garden Tour and LACASA Gala.
LACASA will mark 45 years of serving the community in 2026. Look for more information to come. To donate, visit www.lacasacenter.org/emberofhope. To learn more about volunteering, email Volunteering@lacasacenter.org.
