FROM STAFF REPORTS 

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $225,295 to support nonprofit agencies that assist victims of abuse in central Alabama.

The grants will support the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, SafeHouse of Shelby County and YWCA Central Alabama. The agencies offer a variety of professional assistance at no cost to victims.

“Domestic violence victims come from all backgrounds and deserve access to professional services and assistance,” Ivey said. “I support the work of these organizations who are committed to helping victims recover from the crimes committed against them.”

Ivey awarded the following grants:

-Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (Blount, Jefferson and Shelby counties) – $59,730 for continued outreach and prevention educational materials to Hispanic residents. The agency will also use funds to organize community events and talks about domestic violence and lead a marketing campaign to promote the National Domestic Violence hotline that offers services in multiple languages.

-SafeHouse of Shelby County, Inc. (Clay, Coosa and Shelby counties) – $50,412 for continued services to victims including emergency shelter, advocacy and crisis intervention.

-YWCA Central Alabama (Blount, Jefferson and St. Clair counties) – $115,153 for emergency shelter, court advocacy, case management, legal representation, support groups and other services for victims and their children. The organization also conducts outreach and awareness campaigns.

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.

“Gov. Ivey and I are committed to working with those organizations that assist those who have been victimized or abused,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “The continued partnership between with these organizations will ensure victims of all walks of life will continue to have access to vital services.”

ADECA manages a wide array of programs that support law enforcement and traffic safety, energy conservation, water resource management, economic development and recreation.