Providence, RI – The Rhode Island Congressional delegation today announced a $300,000 federal grant for Sojourner House, a local advocacy and resource center for victims of domestic abuse. The grant was awarded by the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women and will help fund Sojourner House’s transitional housing program, which provides aid to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking who are homeless or in need of housing assistance. The program also helps participants secure permanent housing.
“Sojourner House provides critical services to survivors and victims of domestic violence on a daily basis,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Appropriations subcommittee which oversees federal funding for the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women programs. “I commend the dedicated staff and volunteers at Sojourner House for helping women and families throughout Rhode Island, and I am pleased they are receiving this federal funding.”
“Victims of domestic abuse need somewhere to turn,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who is a strong supporter of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and whose teen dating violence prevention act became law in March as part of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. “Sojourner House’s transitional housing program provides victims with a safe place to stay and helps them reclaim their lives from abuse. I congratulate Sojourner House on this award, which will help continue these essential services.”
“Leaving an abusive situation takes incredible courage, and I am so glad that Rhode Islanders faced with that decision have a safe place to land,” said U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin. “Having a safety net will encourage victims to get out of violent, dangerous relationships, and these funds for transitional housing will get them back on their feet.”
“Sojourner House is one of Rhode Island’s strongest advocates for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking,” said U.S. Congressman David Cicilline, who served as an original co-sponsor for the strengthened, bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that was signed into law earlier this year. “I am delighted to join in announcing this significant federal grant and applaud Sojourner House for their invaluable work to assist survivors.”
“Sojourner House is honored to receive another transitional housing grant from the Department of Justice–Office on Violence Against Women. This grant will allow us to serve individuals and families who have been impacted by domestic violence and need housing and supportive services. We firmly believe that it is impossible for survivors to rebuild their lives free from abuse without safe and secure housing,” said Vanessa Volz, Executive Director of Sojourner House.
The FY 2013 Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking (Transitional Housing Assistance) Program implements certain provisions of the Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003 (the PROTECT Act) and the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005.
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