MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $1.6 million to help two nonprofit organizations in central Alabama continue providing services to victims of child abuse and domestic violence.

The grants will fund a variety of services to assist victims in Jefferson, Blount and St. Clair counties. “Those who’ve been abused, whether children or adults, deserve access to professional assistance that provides safety from their abusers and helps them begin the healing process,” Ivey said. “I commend the work of the staff members and volunteers of both organizations who have dedicated themselves to helping every victim.”

A $1.3 million grant will enable YWCA Central Alabama in Birmingham to continue providing safe shelter, court advocacy, case management, legal representation, victims’ support groups and outreach and awareness services for victims and their children in Jefferson, Blount and St. Clair counties. Matching funds of $341,219 will supplement the grant.

The Bessemer Cut-Off Advocacy Center will use a $261,898 grant to continue providing aid through the Clay House Children’s Center to child abuse victims and their family members in Bessemer, Fairfield, Hoover, Hueytown, Lipscomb, Midfield and Pleasant Grove. The center operates as a child advocacy center with a multidisciplinary team approach that includes professionals from the Department of Human Resources, law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office as well as medical professionals. Matching funds of $65,474 will supplement the grant.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Justice Department.

“ADECA shares Gov. Ivey’s commitment to helping these organizations provide services for victims of domestic violence and child abuse,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Our partnerships help to ensure that victims continue to have access to vital care and assistance during these trying times.”

ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.

Ivey notified Maggie Brooke, chair of YWCA Central Alabama’s board, and Lynneice Washington, Bessemer District Attorney, that the grants had been approved.

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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley