Amanda Cochrane

1 month ago | caledonianrecord.com | Amanda Cochrane

In our community, there are individuals who, despite a history of causing harm, are actively working toward change every day. Their efforts as well as wider national movements offer insight into the hope we can find when we develop the skills and patience to connect with others, even when boundaries divide us. Four years ago, Umbrella adopted a new approach to addressing domestic violence, shifting from the belief that “abusers” could not be rehabilitated to exploring more supportive solutions.

Jan 31, 2025 | caledonianrecord.com | Amanda Cochrane

This week has been a rollercoaster for those of us running non-profit organizations in our communities. Unsettling announcements from the Trump Administration about planned funding freezes and sweeping Executive Orders have sent shockwaves through nonprofits and state governments. Nonprofits serve as the backbone of many vital services in our communities, and disruptions in funding don’t just add stress— they create chaos, putting vulnerable community members at significant risk.

Jan 23, 2025 | caledonianrecord.com | Amanda Cochrane

As the community-based organization working to end gender-based violence and ensure that in our community all people thrive free from abuse and oppression, Umbrella is attentive to public sentiment related to domestic violence. In the past months since an officer was shot in our community responding to a domestic violence call, the public discourse taking place online and in this newspaper has sent troubling messages to those who experience domestic violence.

Nov 29, 2024 | caledonianrecord.com | Amanda Cochrane

Anger is a powerful emotion. Every human feels it. In and of itself, like any emotion, it is not bad. It is an alert to us to pay attention to something going on. In that way, it can provide insight into the heart of the matter. There was a lot of anger felt by many in the lead-up to November 5, 2024. I felt it on the campaign trail as a candidate and it was certainly apparent as it tends to be - online.

Feb 14, 2024 | caledonianrecord.com | Amanda Cochrane

Too often issues that are deeply connected get treated as distinct issues. Community challenges like addiction, and domestic and sexual violence are seen as separate and not interrelated. As a result, services, funding, and community understanding of the issues are fragmented and incomplete. National research backs up what community members are experiencing here related to the overlap of these issues. There is a connection between domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking, and substance use.