
Community Matters: Solace Sexual Assault Services
María José Rodríguez Cádiz, Solace Sexual Assault Services
Wednesday, April 17, 2024

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In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, our April episode of Community Matters features guest María José Rodríguez Cádiz, the Executive Director of Solace Sexual Assault Services. Solace is a Santa Fe-based nonprofit with a mission of preventing sexual violence and empowering survivors through restoring dignity, strength, and resilience. They envision a community where people have agency in their own healing, feel safe to exist as their fullest selves, and have access to resources that meet their needs to thrive.

María José Rodríguez Cádiz, a native of Spain, has been living in Santa Fe for three decades. In the late 90’s she worked in the areas of Restorative Justice and Conflict Resolution. She has been a staff member at Solace Sexual Assault Services since 2002 and as the Executive Director since 2011. She is responsible for overall program’s management, compliance, development and financial sustainability. She was an advisory board member with Self Awareness and Schools Support for Girls (SASS), and a Board Member with the Santa Fe Rotary Club. She is currently a Board Member with La Familia Health and the SFCF.
María José maintains a clear commitment to working for people and goals that improve the quality of life of her community, especially in the areas of violence intervention and prevention, resilience and empowerment of women while maintaining a vibrant and healthy personal life with family, pets and friends. She is committed as well to lead and encourage the non-profit sector into adopting best practices pertaining to quality employment and family friendly policies.
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About Community Matters
Our monthly radio show invites subject experts and community leaders to talk about the challenges and inequities our region faces and possible solutions that could contribute to its growth. Hosted by Santa Fe Community Foundation staff, Community Matters airs on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM on KSFR (101.1 FM). Listen to past episodes here.
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