MANHATTAN — Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s office said Wednesday they will donate nearly $12 million in grants to organizations serving communities with crime victims lacking “culturally-specific" support services.
The money, which came from settlements from international banks that violated U.S. sanctions, will go to 10 groups that provide help to people of color, immigrants and non-English speakers, LGBTQ people and those who are deaf or hard of hearing, according to the DA’s office.
“Securing justice for victims of crime doesn’t end in the courtroom. All survivors deserve culturally-appropriate services tailored to their individual needs,” Vance said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, because of the barriers they face, research shows that those who need services the most access them the least. With these grants, we aim to break down those barriers, encourage members of historically underserved victim communities to seek help, and support the organizations that are dedicated to doing so.”
The organizations awarded include Barrier Free Living, which provides counseling and support to the deaf and hard of hearing; Center for Court innovation, which provides services to men of color who have been victims of crime or exposed to violence; and the Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, which provides clinical support and legal advocacy for LGBTQ people and people of color who are survivors of gender-based violence.
The grants, totaling $11.8 million, will be provided over a three-year period and are expected to help more than 1,400 New Yorkers yearly.
Other groups receiving investments are Children’s Aid Society, Crime Victims Treatment Center, New York Center for Children, New York City Anti-Violence Project, New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation and Sanctuary for Families.
