Alabama Governor Awards Grants To Help Victims of Domestic Violence

One of the horrible aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the impact it’s had on vulnerable people. Domestic violence was already a major issue in the United States, but the COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem exponentially. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has announced that three women’s shelters in South West Alabama would be receiving grants. Organizations that serve victims of domestic violence will be the recipient of these funds.

Alabama Continues To Award Grants To Help Domestic Violence Victims

Here’s why these actions are so important: Domestic violence including intimate partner violence has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic. All over the country, Domestic Violence was on the rise, especially among massive layoffs, lockdowns, and virtual schools. Victims locked in with their abusers. In Alabama, the governor announced grants last year to aid victims, including a $10,000 grant to aid victims during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor also awarded a $70,000 grant to Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, to reduce economic costs to victims. Governor Ivey also awarded a $150,000 grant to AshaKiran, to provide culturally sensitive crisis intervention.

And this year, which has only just begun has seen similar grant awards. Last week the Governor announced $350,000 in grant funds to four different agencies in North Alabama to domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

• Crisis Services of North Alabama, Inc was awarded $145,000 to provide services in four counties. These counties include Madison, Jackson, Limestone, and Morgan. The organization provides shelter and housing-related services. They also host high-school and college preventative programs.
• Safeplace Inc was awarded $120,000 to continue its Peace and Harmony programs in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, and Winston counties.
• Domestic Violence Crisis Services received $55,275 to serve Cherokee, DeKalb, and Marshall counties. Their services include preventive services that promote overall awareness.
• Victim Services of Cullman, which provides Cullman County services, will use its services to work with offenders to prevent future abuse.

And this week, three more organizations have received grants from the Governor’s office

This week, the Governor has announced three new grant awards, this time to organizations in SouthWest Alabama. These grant awards total $235,000 to these three organizations.

Here’s what Governor Ivey had to say about this award:

Those who have unfortunately been victimized by domestic violence in southwest Alabama need and deserve access to professional aid and care. I commend these organizations for the services and assistance that they provide to victims”

Here’s where these grant funds are going:

• Baldwin Family Violence Shelter will receive a $75,000 grant to continue its services in Escambia, Monroe, and Conecuh counties. More specifically the organization’s Lighthouse Domestic Violence Program provides services like a 24-hour hotline, safe shelter, counseling, advocacy, case management, community education, and prevention services. The shelter will also have $18,750 to supplement this grant.
  
• The Family Counseling Center of Mobile will receive $50,000 to offer services including prevention and counseling to children who have been exposed to violence. The center currently serves Mobile, Clarke, and Washington counties, and will also have $12,500 in matching funds to supplement the grant fund.
  
• Penelope House Inc. will receive $110,000 to use for services. They will use these funds for community outreach and awareness to increase knowledge of domestic violence. These funds will also teach how to refer victims to proper services.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will be administering these grants as part of funds made available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

It’s Critical To Fund Services To Help DV Victims

It’s important to see that Alabama is making grant funds available to help victims of domestic violence. It is horrible to hear stories of abuse, and prevention services, as well as victims’ services, are critical. These grants are important. That’s why we have an entire category of Domestic Violence grants to ensure that nonprofits, agencies, and other eligible organizations have the most updated grant information.

We all hope to see a world with less abuse, more services for victims, and prevention programs that address root causes.