Rep. Cartwright Announces $350,000 in DOJ Funds for Domestic Violence Service Center in Wilkes-Barre

Wilkes-Barre, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that a grant in the amount of $350,000 has been awarded to the Domestic Violence Service Center (DVSC) in Wilkes-Barre through the Transitional Housing Grant Assistance Program from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Center, in collaboration with the Luzerne County Homeless Coalition and Catholic Social Services of Wyoming Valley, will use the funds to provide transitional housing and support services to move survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking who are homeless or without permanent housing.

Additional support services could include:

• case management, safety planning, transportation, financial literacy, counseling, support groups, job training;
   
• access to on-site civil legal representation by attorneys and to mainstream resources and housing advocacy;
   
• follow-up services for at least 3 months once permanent housing is secured.

 “Protecting women from abusers and predators is an enormous priority, and this investment will help keep Luzerne County families safe,” Rep. Cartwright said.  “I am pleased such an important federal investment is being made and the Center will have access to the support they need to help keep women, children, and families safe.”

The Domestic Violence Service Center offers emergency shelter and direct services to battered women and their children.  DVSC’s Bridge Housing Program provides transitional housing for battered and homeless women and their children.

In addition to emergency shelter and transitional housing, DVSC offers a wide range of free and confidential services including a 24-hour hotline for information and referral, crisis intervention, supportive counseling or a sympathetic shoulder to cry on.  Other free services include supportive options counseling, individual and group counseling for residents and non-residents, advocacy, court advocacy and accompaniment related to Protection From Abuse Orders, community outreach and education, life skills and parenting training, medical and mental health advocacy and trainings for professionals.

The FY 2016 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 Acts of 2005 and 2013.  The primary purpose of the Transitional Housing Assistance Program is to provide aid to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking who are homeless, or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance, including short-term housing assistance and supportive services; and for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient.  The Program also focuses on supporting a holistic, victim-centered approach to provide transitional housing services that move individuals into permanent housing.

Rep. Matt Cartwright represents Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District, which includes Schuylkill County and portions of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, and Northampton Counties.  Cartwright serves on the House Committee on Appropriations.

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