MOUNT VERNON – Knox County’s New Directions will receive $25,000 in grants from the federal Violence Against Women Act program for its efforts to reduce violence against women.
“This funding is critical to prevent or reduce crime and violence against women, while meeting the needs of survivors using a community-coordinated approach,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a press release.
The two grants of $15,000 and $10,000 New Directions received were among 143 awarded to 101 local agencies in 46 counties, with more than $3.6 million in total handed out, DeWine said.
The local nonprofit organization has served Knox County since 1983. On its website, the organization lists its mission as providing “resources for the safety, healing and freedom of individuals who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault and offers preventive education to create an informed and supportive community.”
The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services administers the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant program to assist local governments and nonprofit community-based organizations. The organizations must be involved in administering justice for and strengthening services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.