County Executive Baker Announces Recipients of Domestic Violence Prevention Grants

Press Release

 

For Immediate Release:

September 29, 2017

 

For Information Contact:

Scott Peterson

Deputy Manager of Communications/Press Secretary

PH: 240-619-9400

 

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III Announces Recipients of Newly Created Domestic Violence Community Assistance Grant Fund

Upper Marlboro, MD –  The Office of Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III along with the Prince George’s County Department of Family Services, is proud to announce the four inaugural recipients of the $250,000 Domestic Violence Community Assistance Grant Fund: Affiliated Santé Group, Community Advocates for Family and Youth (CAFY), the Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County, Inc. and House of Ruth Maryland. The objective of the Domestic Violence Community Assistance Grant Fund, created from money added by County Executive Baker in the FY 2017 Budget toward domestic violence prevention, is to provide financial assistance for eligible non-profit organizations to deliver enhanced services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence, and to implement programs to prevent violence in the home. 

“We have seen a dramatic reduction in crime in Prince George’s County over the last decade, but some of the most horrific violent crimes that have occurred in recent years stem from domestic violence,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “In last year’s budget, and this year’s budget as well, I committed an additional $250,000 to our Department of Family Services to create the Domestic Violence Community Assistance Grant Fund to assist non-profit organizations who are working on the front line to protect women and men from Domestic Violence.  I want to congratulate Affiliated Santé Group, Community Advocates for Family and Youth (CAFY), the Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County, Inc. and House of Ruth Maryland for their outstanding work on this critical issue and hope that this funding will go to helping more families get the help they need to combat and reduce domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Community Assistance Fund award recipients will receive program grants of up to $75,000.  In addition, as a condition of the grant award, recipients have agreed to participate in capacity building and technical assistance activities designed and provided by the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

House of Ruth Maryland’s designated funds will support continuing services to individuals and families directly affected by violence in intimate partner relationships.  The funds awarded to Affiliated Santé Group are designated to expand Prince George’s County crisis services for survivors of domestic violence. 

The assistance fund will expand Community Advocates for Family and Youth’s (CAFY) domestic violence assistance that utilizes wrap-around services to address safety net needs by re-stabilizing the family with protection from possible homelessness, legal issues, and providing emergency and basic needs. 

The Domestic Violence Community Fund Assistance Grant will also provide the Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County, Inc. with the necessary resources to  launch an aggressive public awareness campaign targeting areas of the community that are heavily impacted by domestic violence and focus on connecting domestic violence survivors to various critical resources.

“We couldn’t be more excited that the local non-profit grantees will receive over $250,000 in funding to enhance their services and resources to  families faced with the challenges of domestic abuse,” said Elana Belon-Butler, Director of the Department of Family Services.  “Our main goal is to help strengthen families by providing support to community-based organizations so that they are in a better position to help those affected by domestic violence achieve a greater level of independence."

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