MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $397,054 to support nonprofit agencies that assist victims of abuse in 23 counties primarily in central and east Alabama.
The grants will support five nonprofit agencies that offer emergency shelter and a variety of professional assistance at no cost to victims.
“Domestic violence victims deserve ready access to a variety of professional services and assistance from professional providers,” Ivey said. “I commend the work of the staff and volunteers of these organizations who work to protect victims and their families every day.”
Ivey awarded grants to the following organizations:
•Crisis Center of Russell County (Russell County) - $25,647 for safe shelter, counseling, employment assistance and other services for victims and their families.
•Domestic Violence Intervention Center (Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph and Tallapoosa counties) - $64,731 for a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, support groups, case management, court advocacy and other services.
•Legal Services of Alabama Inc. (Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes and Pike counties) - $78,591 for attorneys to represent low-income clients in domestic violence cases. The attorneys aid victims and their families with legal barriers to economic and emotional independence from their abusers. They also help victims find safe shelter and with daily needs.
•Montgomery Area Family Violence Program Inc. (Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes and Montgomery counties) - $107,950 for the Family Sunshine Center Outreach and Prevention Project to increase community awareness regarding domestic violence through trainings and presentations. The organization will also partner with local agencies to launch a public education campaign about family violence prevention.
•The House of Ruth (Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties) - $120,135 for continued support of two court advocates who assist victims with filing protection orders. The advocates also assist and support victims in misdemeanor criminal cases.
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 Health and Human Services.
“I join Gov. Ivey in support of domestic violence victims who need and deserve access to professional services,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “The partnership between the governor, ADECA and these organizations helps ensure victims will continue to have assistance when they need it most.”
ADECA manages a wide array of programs that support law enforcement and traffic safety, energy conservation, water resource management, economic development and recreation.
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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley