MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $1.2 million to support services for crime victims in northeast Alabama.
The grants will help five nonprofit agencies continue providing counseling, case management and adult education services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and other crimes.
“Crime victims and their families deserve access to professional assistance as they begin dealing with the aftermath of these awful incidents,” Ivey said. “I commend these organizations and their staffs for helping victims and their families when they need it the most.”
The organizations work closely with local law enforcement agencies and courts to provide immediate assistance to victims when needed. Victims and their families have access to personalized therapeutic counseling that addresses trauma, feelings of loss, grief, fear, helplessness, isolation, anger and shame associated with criminal victimization. The organizations also provide access to safe shelter, trained forensic interviewers for young victims, court preparation and accompaniment.
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. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement and traffic safety, workforce development, water resource management, economic development, energy conservation and recreation development.
“I stand with Gov. Ivey in her commitment to helping victims of crime gain access to professional assistance as part of the recovery process,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to continue partnering with these local agencies which have helped many people get the counseling and help to take the vital first steps toward recovery and justice.”
Along with grants, the organizations rely on private donations to ensure that free services continue to be available to victims.
Below is a list of the organizations receiving grant funds and the counties each serves.
• 2nd Chance, Inc. - $765,546 to provide services to victims of domestic and sexual violence and elder abuse in Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and Talladega counties.
• The Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County - $118,000 to help child abuse victims and their families in Cherokee County.
• Calhoun/Cleburne Children’s Center Inc. - $136,000 to provide advocacy and counseling services to abused children in Calhoun and Cleburne counties.
• Family Services Center of Calhoun County Inc. - $52,800 to provide services to adult and child victims of crime in Calhoun County.
• James M. Barrie Center for Children Inc. - $183,000 to provide services for child victims in Etowah County.
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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley