MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $138,449 to support nonprofit agencies that assist victims of abuse in west and northwest Alabama.
The grants will support the Family Resource Center of Northwest Alabama, the Selma and Blackbelt Regional Abuse Sanctuary and Turning Point. The agencies offer emergency shelter and a variety of professional assistance at no cost to victims.
“These organizations serve a valuable purpose by providing a place where victims may access a variety of professional services and assistance,” Ivey said. “I commend the work of the staff and volunteers who are committed to helping victims through the most challenging times of their lives.”
Ivey awarded the following grants:
• Family Resource Center of Northwest Alabama (Walker County) - $22,160 for emergency shelter, case management and out-of-shelter services. The organization will also expand services to include an office at the Jasper Area Family Service Center to be staffed 20 hours per week by a domestic violence victims advocate. The advocate will provide safety planning, information and referral services, education and interagency collaboration for victims who may not need shelter or choose not to seek it.
• Selma and Blackbelt Regional Abuse Sanctuary (Dallas, Perry, Wilcox, Greene, Sumter and Marengo counties) - $24,833 for prevention and education services in schools and communities with the goal of raising awareness and educating the public about domestic violence, its impact and effects and services available to victims.
• Turning Point (Bibb, Fayette, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties) - $91,456 for continued services such as emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis line, case management, counseling, legal and follow-up services and referrals.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Gov. Ivey believes that those who have unfortunately become victims of abuse need and deserve access to professional services,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “This partnership between the governor, ADECA and these organizations will ensure victims in their counties will continue to have access to these important services.”
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