CVT began with a promise from a father to his son, explains Wetherby. Stanford Law School student Rudy Perpich, Jr. spoke to his father, then Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich, about his volunteer work with Amnesty International. Governor Perpich promised his son, in his capacity as governor, he would work to advance human rights.

The governor sought ideas from local leaders in the human rights field; the most ambitious idea: establishing the first treatment center in the U.S. for victims of torture. In May 1985, CVT was founded as an independent, nongovernmental organization. Today CVT has established international locations as well and currently employs 55 people in the U.S., 125 people in Africa and the Middle East and has an additional 250 volunteers. Having a presence abroad also poses its own set of difficulties, however. “We are an international organization headquartered in Minnesota with offices in four countries,” says Wetherby. “Managing these programs from thousands of miles away can be extremely challenging.”

Even amidst challenges, Wetherby sees the bigger picture that gives her, and presumably other employees, a will to continue to help those suffering from torture. “I have worked at CVT for 12 years; the underlying motivation of my tenure is that I work for an organization that is making a difference in the lives of those who have been tortured,” says Wetherby. “I also have hope that one day my children will live in a world where torture does not exist.” She encourages any nonprofit employee to contribute to his/her organization and further its mission by being flexible, entrepreneurial, and seeking opportunities for innovation.

According to Wetherby, CVT extends care and rehabilitative services to more than 2,000 torture survivors a year. In the past year, funding for CVT’s international programs has grown thanks to new contracts for CVT’s work. As a result of this expansion their 2009 budget has increased from 2008. She points out though a decrease in individual giving and forecasts a difficult environment for foundation giving the next two or three years.

Added funding translates to more resources which allow CVT to sustain its ability to care for torture survivors in the U.S. and abroad. “The importance of a well-diversified funding base mitigates risk,” explains Wetherby. “In addition, as a CFO, I have to respond to ever changing regulations and funding reporting requirements.”

Over the past 24 years, CVT has managed to fund its efforts so effectively they’ve been recognized for numerous prestigious awards, including the following:

• The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and MAP for Nonprofits honored CVT with the 2007 Nonprofit Excellence Award. The award recognizes the professional practices CVT uses in governance, financial management, transparency and fundraising.
  
  
• CVT was selected as one of the “Minnesota 150: The People, Places and Things that Shape Our State.”
  
  
• CVT's Guinea Team was honored by the American Psychological Association with the 2006 International Humanitarian Award for its work with refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia.
  

Since CVT was established, it has been a customer of Western Bank. “The Sands family has supported the Center for Victims of Torture for nearly 25 years,” says Wetherby. “But perhaps most important, Western is a bank with deep roots in this community and CVT is deeply grateful for its commitment to the non-profit sector. Western provides an array of services that enable CVT and other organizations to expand our capacity to help people who are suffering so greatly in these difficult economic times.”

To learn more about the Center for Victims of Torture, visit: www.cvt.org.