MONTGOMERY— Family violence victims in north Alabama will continue to have access to free, professional assistance with the help of three grants totaling $188,425, including $70,217 in economic stimulus funds, awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.
Huntsville-based Crisis Services of North Alabama will use an $118,208 grant to provide services to victims in four counties and a $46,981 economic stimulus grant to add new staff members. A $23,236 economic stimulus grant will help Florence-based Shoals Crisis Center maintain aid to sexual assault victims in four counties.
“Professional, compassionate assistance is an important part of the recovery process for victims,” Riley said. “These organizations depend heavily on individual donations to ensure the needs of victims are met. I encourage area residents to be generous in their support.”
Crisis Services assists victims in Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties through its Hope Place Program. Emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual and group counseling and legal aid are available at the organization’s main facility in Madison County or satellite shelter in Morgan County. The center will hire two part-time shelter service specialists to ensure victims’ needs are met while staying the in group’s emergency shelters.
The Shoals Crisis Center serves victims in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale and Marion counties through its Rape Response program. Staff and volunteers at the center give support, information and referrals through a 24-hour crisis hotline and a rape response team provides immediate assistance to victims. The agency also offers counseling and legal support.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Riley notified Barbara Parks of Crisis Services and Cindy Morrison of Shoals Crisis Center that the grants had been approved. Matching funds of $41,297 will supplement Crisis Services’ grants and a $5,809 match will supplement the award to Shoals Crisis Center.
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Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers