MONTGOMERY— Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded three grants to support a Florence-based nonprofit organization that gives a helping hand to victims of family violence in a six county area.
Safeplace Inc. will use the grants totaling $230,976 to help victims in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties.
Robert Bentley
“The free professional assistance available from Safeplace helps victims take the first steps to overcome abusive situations,” Bentley said. “I am pleased to support the vital services that this organization provides for victims in need.”
In addition to emergency shelter, Safeplace conducts support groups and offers counseling for victims and their children. The organization also offers training for professionals in law enforcement, health care and social services to help them better address the problems of domestic violence and the needs of victims.
To serve victims among the area’s Hispanic population, the center provides a special liaison and prints its brochures and other information in Spanish and English.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Justice Department and U.S Department of Health and Human Services. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, workforce development, water resource management and recreation development.
Bentley notified Susan Campbell, president of the organization’s board, that the grants had been approved. Matching funds of $55,243 are supplementing the awards.
In addition to grant funds, the organization depends on private, individual donations to ensure a full range of services is available to victims.
