Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday awarded 15 grants totaling about $673,000 to nonprofit organizations and county governments in central Alabama to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes.
“These funds will support programs that provide critical services to crime victims and help investigate and prosecute offenders,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these grants that will help victims recover and take important steps toward rebuilding their lives.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants with funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“These awful crimes can be especially damaging to victims, and the cases often require special skills and knowledge,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in commending efforts to assist victims and prevent future offenses.”
Below are the agencies receiving grants.
- Rape Counselors of East Alabama – $26,110 for services including a 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention counseling and long-term support for victims of sexual assault and human trafficking in Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Russell and Tallapoosa counties.
- Tuscaloosa SAFE Center – $54,610 for services including forensic exams, case management and therapy for victims of sexual violence in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties.
- SAN Inc., better known as Turning Point – $39,610 to provide emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, a 24-hour crisis line and follow-up services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties.
- Montgomery Area Family Violence Program, better known as Family Sunshine Center – $52,110 to assist victims of family violence, sexual assault and human trafficking with services including shelter, counseling and advocacy. Its service area comprises Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes and Montgomery counties.
- Selma and Blackbelt Regional Abuse, SABRA, Sanctuary – $16,350 to provide community education, crisis intervention, case management and other services to domestic violence victims in Dallas, Greene, Marengo, Perry, Sumter and Wilcox counties.
- Elmore County Commission – $83,710 to support the 19th Circuit Domestic Violence Unit. The unit provides information, education, referrals to other community resources, accompaniment to court proceedings and other services to domestic violence victims in Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties.
- Talladega County Commission – $42,710 for the 29th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, which provides support services, prosecution and other services in domestic violence cases in Talladega County.
- Pickens County Commission – $57,710 for the 24th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit. The unit provides specialized training to law enforcement officers, investigative services and other resources in domestic violence and sexual assault cases in Fayette, Lamar and Pickens counties.
- Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama – $67,110 for this Homewood-based organization to serve primarily Hispanic and immigrant victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and other crimes statewide.
- Domestic Violence Intervention Center – $28,110 to offer emergency shelter, outreach and education, support groups, child advocacy, legal advocacy and counseling to domestic violence victims in Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph and Tallapoosa counties.
- YWCA Central Alabama – $33,110 to serve victims of adult physical assault, domestic violence, elder abuse and neglect and other crimes in Blount, Jefferson and St. Clair counties.
- Legal Services Alabama – $54,243 to obtain an attorney and project manager for Project Leviticus, which provides legal counsel to domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes and Pike counties.
- Columbus Alliance for Battered Women, better known as Hope Harbour – $13,460 for services including legal advocacy and crisis intervention to domestic violence victims in Russell County.
- SafeHouse of Shelby County – $27,110 to provide shelter, counseling, advocacy and case management for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Chilton, Clay, Coosa and Shelby counties.
- Montgomery County Commission – $77,710 to support the District Attorney’s Family Justice Unit and provide a designated Deputy District Attorney to prosecute cases that involve violence against women within the county.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
