Center for Victims of Torture

11/03/2026

Before being resettled into the United States, every refugee undergoes extensive vetting by U.S. government agencies. Refugees are lawfully present and deserve to be treated with respect.

10/29/2026

After state violence, healing is necessary across the community. There are many steps that help people rebuild and reconnect after trauma, including peer support groups, therapy, sharing your story, and use of grounding and coping techniques: getting sleep, nutrition and exercise.

Read more about healing & justice here:
https://www.cvt.org/articles/how-to-cope-in-the-aftermath-of-violence-and-crisis/

10/27/2026

There are long-standing legal pathways to becoming a U.S. citizen, and people reside in the country during this time. Here are two:
1. Asylum seekers live in the U.S. legally while their case is pending.
2. Refugees were already vetted overseas and are in a process seeking permanent residency.

10/23/2026

CVT sends our gratitude and appreciation to all our volunteers, whose efforts and dedication have served our clients and our programs for over 40 years. Several staff and volunteer leads met in St. Paul to share our thanks and discuss opportunities, challenges and ideas for volunteer support at CVT. A heartfelt thank you to all!

10/23/2026

The MinnPost Festival was a huge success this year! Among a stellar line-up of speakers, CVT President & CEO Sonya Funna Evelyn spoke with Nicholas Enrich, author of the best-selling book “Into the Woodchipper,” about the dismantling of USAID in 2025. They discussed the impacts of the sweeping cuts to foreign aid and what it means to people around the world.
Photos by Sarah Moreim Photography


Sarah Morreim Photography

10/22/2026

We’re celebrating another successful Restoring Hope Breakfast! Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning in Minneapolis to hear stories of resilience and hope. Your support for healing and justice for survivors is heartwarming and inspiring. Our deepest thanks to all our supporters!

10/21/2026

How can physical therapists adapt their work for people who have survived severe trauma? Cultural adaptation aligns clients’ languages, cultural beliefs and circumstances with interventions that support healing. For refugees and asylum seekers with diverse backgrounds and trauma histories, adaptations help make healthcare accessible and effective. “We bring clinical knowledge, but the people we work with bring knowledge of their lives and culture. Effective rehabilitation needs both,” said Ilona Fricker, clinical advisor for physiotherapy. Click to read our new CVT article.

Through decades of work with survivors of torture, CVT has developed a trauma-focused physical therapy approach that integrates physical rehabilitation with mental health and social work services.

10/20/2026

The United Nations made it clear: Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution and torture. It is legal for people to seek this protection in the United States.

10/16/2026

CVT is hiring two Regional Strategic Partnerships Officers – one in East Africa and one in the MENA region. In this role, you’ll develop and advance locally grounded institutional partnerships that expand resources for CVT programs in East Africa and the Middle East. You’ll identify and cultivate prospective partners, facilitate locally led outreach, and help translate regional priorities into compelling partnership opportunities, concept notes, proposals and stewardship plans. Deadline: Oct. 22. See details here: https://reliefweb.int/job/4233126/regional-strategic-partnerships-officer

10/15/2026

There is still time to register for CVT’s Restoring Hope Breakfast on 10/22! Join us for an inspiring morning to hear stories of resilience, stand with survivors, and take action to uphold human rights. Save your spot now - click here: https://give.cvt.org/event/2026-restoring-hope-breakfast/e803166?_ga=2.151738681.1239196837.1791815869-61197698.1776706140