Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $444,690 in federal funding for YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Transitional Housing Grant Assistance Program and will be used to provide transitional housing and support services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and their families. Specifically, YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County and its partners, the Willow Domestic Violence Center, Rochester Police Department, Rochester Housing Authority and the Rochester Monroe County Homeless Continuum of Care to relocate 90 survivors and their families to safe, private housing units across the Rochester-Finger Lakes region.
“Domestic and dating violence is never acceptable and we must do everything we can to both prevent it in the first place and take care of those who are victimized by it. Fortunately, there are organizations like YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County dedicated to finding and providing safe housing for victims of these horrific crimes and their families,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m proud to announce this federal funding for YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County to further its noble mission and will keep working to secure federal resources that help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault get back on their feet.”
“Sexual assault and domestic violence are devastating problems, and we must do everything we can to prevent them. This critical funding will help the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County move survivors and their families to a safe place,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is important that we support the survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as they seek assistance. I will continue fighting in the Senate for the resources that help protect survivors and their families.”
This funding is awarded through the DOJ’s Transitional Housing Grant Assistance Program. This program supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and their families by funding organizations that provide holistic and survivor-centered short-term or temporary housing with the goal of transitioning survivors and their families to permanent housing. In addition, the program funds a range of support services such as rental and utility assistance, case management, childcare, transportation, career and financial planning, support groups, job and education training, and some legal assistance. The program also offers follow-up services for at least three months after survivors and their families secure permanent housing.