MONTGOMERY— Services designed to help sexual assault victims in seven northeast Alabama counties are receiving a little extra support from a $9,880 economic stimulus grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.   

Anniston-based Daybreak Crisis Recovery Center will use the funds to help maintain services to victims in all counties of its coverage area during the current economic downturn. The funding supplements $94,436 in grants awarded by Riley in December. The center helps victims in Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Randolph and Talladega counties.

“Daybreak provides services that are an important part of the recovery process for victims,” Riley said. “The center depends heavily upon individual contributions so I urge area residents to be generous in their support.”    

The organization, formed in 1995, offers a 24-hour crisis line for victims. Staff members also accompany victims to the hospital, offer counseling and refer victims to community agencies that can help them with other needs. Specially trained nurses at the center collect forensic evidence that is used in investigations and prosecutions.

The grant will help pay travel costs for staff to assist victims throughout the seven-county area and attend required meetings and training sessions. The center also will replace some office equipment and purchase two GPS units to help staff members reach victims more quickly.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Justice Department as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Riley notified Elaine Barbee, the center’s executive director, that the grant had been approved.     

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Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers