MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $45,113 to help three non-profit organizations in southwest Alabama continue providing services for domestic violence victims during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This virus has created new challenges in many aspects of our lives, but there is still a strong need for those victimized by domestic violence to have access to the same level of professional assistance,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend these organizations for services and assistance that they provide to victims in southwest Alabama.”
A $14,423 grant will assist the Baldwin Family Violence Shelter to continue providing direct services to victims in Baldwin, Escambia, Monroe and Conecuh counties through its Lighthouse Domestic Violence Program. Services include a 24-hour crisis line, safe shelter, counseling, advocacy, case management, community education and prevention services.
The Family Counseling Center of Mobile is using funds of $10,000 to help its Outreach and Education Division offer services including group counseling and prevention education programs throughout the community to children who have been exposed to violence. These funds are in addition to a previously awarded $7,000 CARES Act grant earlier this year. The center serves Mobile, Clarke and Washington counties.
A $20,689 grant will help Penelope House Inc. provide community outreach and awareness presentations in Mobile, Washington, Clarke and Choctaw counties to increase knowledge of domestic violence and to help other agencies know how and where to refer victims for services. The organization also provides prevention education to students in Pre-K – 12th grade to help understand what domestic violence and abuse looks like.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Justice Department through the CARES Act. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
“ADECA joins with Gov. Ivey in helping organizations that provide needed services for victims of domestic violence,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Our partnerships with these southwest Alabama organizations help to protect victims from further abuse and provides access to vital services for victims.”
Gov. Ivey notified Michael Gorum, Baldwin Family Violence Shelter board president, John Teague, Family Counseling Center of Mobile board president, and Stacey L. Killingsworth, Penelope House, Inc. board president, that the grants had been approved.
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