The Betty Griffin Center has received a $100,000 grant from the Women’s Giving Alliance (WGA) to assist in funding its new Hope and Recovery program, which addresses the gaps in service delivery for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse who also have substance abuse issues.
Executive Director Joyce Mahr said the nonprofit will partner with Stewart Marchman Act Behavioral Healthcare to deliver safety, support and hope to survivors in their path to recovery and violence-free living.
“Since addiction is an issue that affects about 75 percent of the survivors we serve, the grant will allow us to engage a therapist and an advocate to work directly with these survivors to overcome their dependency on drugs and alcohol,” said Mahr, whose organization shelters 250 to 350 victims of domestic and sexual abuse annually. “We’re grateful for the support of the Women’s Giving Alliance to help us fund this program, which allows us to continue applying a holistic approach in helping the people who come to us for assistance.”
WGA is a Jacksonville-based foundation that funds, educates and advocates for women and girls to strengthen families and communities. Since 2002, the organization has awarded more than $4.9 million to more than 30 nonprofit organizations.
In accepting the WGA grant, the Betty Griffin Center has established a goal that 80 percent of all self-referring survivors will complete a survivor-focused safety plan. This plan will meet their unique safety needs as it relates to domestic and/or sexual abuse and substance abuse and will include an after-care plan that meets their individual recovery needs.
“This grant will give staff the capability to further empower survivors of domestic and sexual abuse so they can more quickly resume a life free of addiction and abuse,” said Mahr.
