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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $1.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE UNITY HOUSE OF TROY TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST WOMEN

Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,540,243 in federal funding for the Unity House of Troy. Funding was provided through two different grants from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women.

The first grant will provide $750,000 from the Consolidated Youth and Engaging Men Program, which will be used to implement a comprehensive project to develop, expand, and strengthen coordinated community responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in Rensselaer County. The second grant will provide $325,000 from the Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program, which will be used to provide services and develop resources for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault who are in the Deaf or disabled community. The third grant will provide $465,243 from the Transitional Housing Assistance Program, which will be used to provide housing and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating, or stalking who are homeless or in need of permanent housing.

“This federal funding will provide invaluable services victims of domestic violence and abuse in Rensselaer County, as well as help prevent future incidents. We must send an unequivocal message that domestic violence and violence against women will not be tolerated,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased that the Department of Justice has provided this funding to the Unity House of Troy, and will continue fighting to ensure that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have the services and support they need.”

“The Unity House of Troy is an important resource for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Rensselaer County. These three Department of Justice grants will allow them to expand their services, work to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault in the community, and begin the healing process for those who have been hurt by this devastating problem,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is important that we support and encourage domestic violence and sexual assault survivors as they seek assistance, and I will always fight for programs that provide the necessary resources to protect our families.”

“Unity House is pleased and honored to receive this funding. Children, youth and young adult victims dealing with or exposed to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or sex trafficking have been historically underserved. Lack of access to information and resources leaves victims trapped in abusive situations unaware of options and possibilities for a better future.  This vital funding will afford Unity House and its community partners the ability to develop and implement coordinated comprehensive prevention and intervention services to help some of the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Christopher Burke, CEO, Unity House of Troy, Inc.

The first grant will provide Unity House of Troy with $750,000 from the Consolidated Youth and Engaging Men Program. This funding will be used to implement a comprehensive project to develop, expand, and strengthen coordinated community responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in Rensselaer County. The funding will be used specifically to do the following:

  • Hire a full-time mental health counselor to provide age- and developmentally-appropriate therapy to children and youth survivors and their caretakers.
  • Hire a full-time program coordinator to provide case management and safety planning services for survivors and their caretakers.
  • Build a referral network to connect children and youth survivors and their caretakers with supportive community resources such as a food pantry and clothing.
  • Facilitate a summer fellowship program to develop youth leadership in ending violence against women.
  • Develop an Empowering Girls Group and summer art program to engage young girls as leaders and influencers in ending violence against women and girls.

The second grant will provide Unity House of Troy with $325,000 from the Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program. This funding will be used to provide services and develop resources for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault who are in the Deaf or disabled community of Troy. The funding from this award will specifically do the following: 

  • Promote accessibility between the Deaf community and the Culture of Respect and Empowerment (CORE) Initiative. The CORE Initiative is a collaboration between Unity House of Troy’s Domestic Violence Services, the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV), and the Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program that works to end abuse of people with Disabilities.
  • Develop and implement a Disability High-Risk Team, which will meet monthly to address the intersection of disability and domestic and sexual violence.
  • Produce outreach and awareness campaigns that will lead to more referrals from services providers and increasing the number of individuals with disabilities who seek services.

The third grant will provide Unity House of Troy with $465,243 from the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants Program. This funding will be used to provide housing and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating, or stalking who are homeless or in need of permanent housing. The funding from this award will specifically do the following:

  • Provide services to help survivors who are homeless move to permanent housing, such as rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, transportation, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, job training, support groups, and housing advocacy.
  • Hire an additional staff member to implement the program and provide follow-up services.
  • Focus on meeting the needs of underserved veterans, Deaf, disabled populations in the community

The DOJ Office on Violence Against Women Grant Programs provide funding to implement certain provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. The Consolidated Youth and Engaging Men Program provides funding for communities to create a coordinated community response to enhance prevention, intervention, and response efforts for children and young adults affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sex trafficking. The Disability Grant Program works to increase the accessibility of safe and effective services for individuals with disabilities individuals who are survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The Transitional Housing Assistance Grants Program provides aid to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking who are in need of housing assistance. More information can be found here.

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