MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded grants totaling $29,563 to help two organizations maintain free services for victims of domestic violence and child abuse in areas of south Alabama during the current economic climate.
Mobile-based Penelope House, a shelter assisting domestic violence victims in Mobile and Washington counties, will receive a $19,900 grant. Riley awarded a $9,663 grant to CARE House, a nonprofit group serving child abuse victims in Baldwin County. The funds supplement a grant previously awarded by Riley to Penelope House earlier this year and a grant awarded
“The vital services provided by CARE House and Penelope House are an important part of the recovery process for abuse victims,” Riley said. “These organizations depend heavily upon individual contributions so I urge area residents to be generous in their support.”
Penelope House offers emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling and support groups to help victims. Every victim also has access to a court advocate to help them understand their legal rights and to provide support and assistance as they navigate the criminal and civil court systems.
CARE House provides professional evaluations, counseling and family advocacy services for victims and their families. Organization officials say CARE House has experienced recent cuts in funding from multiple sources. The grant will help the center maintain adequate staff so that services to victims remain uninterrupted.
Riley awarded the grants from funds made available to Alabama by the U.S. Justice Department as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama earlier this year. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the awards.
Riley notified Toni Ann Coumanis Torrans of Penelope House and Jerry Haase of CARE House that the grants had been approved.
--30--
Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers