Last week, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin recently announced that Family Refuge Center has been awarded a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance grant in the amount of $168,120. This year’s award is a 112 percent increase from last year’s $79,049 award. The Family Refuge Center will utilize the funds to support supportive services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. The funds will provide a portion of the salaries for a full-time shelter manager, overnight shelter advocate, daytime shelter advocate, Monroe County advocate, Pocahontas County advocate, Greenbrier County victim advocate, and part-time weekend shelter advocate. Kenosha Davenport, executive director, states that “the board and staff is really excited to see the increase in funding. In the past few years, we have seen a decrease in some of our traditional funding sources, and it feels good to know that this time our funding request was fully awarded. This will allow us to continue to meet the overwhelming need for services in our communities.” Last year, Family Refuge Center provided services to over 1,000 clients. The Family Refuge Center has provided shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and elder abuse in Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, and Pocahontas counties since 1979. For more information, contact the Family Refuge Center at 866-645-6334.
