Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $300,000 in federal funding for Unity House of Troy, Inc. The investment will be used to strengthen legal assistance programs for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The funding was allocated through the Department of Justice Legal Assistance for Victims Grant (LAV) Program.
“It is critical that we provide women everywhere with the support, education and safety they need to combat sexual and domestic violence,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This federal investment will help provide the tools needed on the ground to provide access to the proper legal resources, necessary counsel, education and support women in the Capital Region deserve in the struggle against violence.”
“This grant will allow us to continue to operate our Domestic Violence Law Project,” Unity House of Troy, Inc. CEO Christopher Burke said. “This project assists victims with civil legal matters such as custody issues and orders of protection. We are very grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her continuous support of Unity House and her concern for the people we serve.”
Specifically, the allocated funding will be used to support one full-time attorney to represent clients, provide legal workshops in rural areas and on college and high school campuses on legal options and services available for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Additionally, the funding will support a legal assistant and legal advocate who will conduct client intake, accompany clients to court and assist with preparing victim impact statements.