In 2002, Kimber Nicoletti-Martinez began working with Indiana farm worker (FW) families. Starting with a drive for donations of gently used clothing, toys, baby items, and furniture, Kimber expanded that effort into year-round donations. Kimber saw a need for programs and training and in 2008, founded Multicultural Efforts to end Sexual Assault (MESA) to provide a culturally affirming approach to end child sexual abuse and sexual violence in FW families and other marginalized communities. Kimber expanded the scope of MESA to include Native/Indigenous, PoC, LGBTQ, immigrants, and people with disabilities. MESA works to offer community-based solutions for healthier communities free of violence. The MESA program results from Kimber’s passion to base her work on reciprocal, collaborative, and culturally appropriate working relationships with multiple community stakeholders.
