The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) has awarded nearly $379.5 million over three years to 230 nonprofit organizations, hospitals and government agencies to support programs providing direct services to victims and survivors of crime and their families.
Victim assistance programs provide therapy, support groups, case management, emergency shelter, civil legal assistance, accompaniment to court, transportation, and assistance with filing claims with OVS to pay or offset expenses directly related to the crime.
Long Island will receive $9,848,136 in total with $6,566,606 directed specifically toward Suffolk County organizations. Those receiving funding are:
- Brighter Tomorrows in Shirley, NY - $603,705
- Central American Refugee Center in Hempstead serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties - $192,791
- Suffolk County District Attorney - $1,053,354
- Crime Victims Center (Suffolk County) - $690,983
- EAC Inc. in Hauppauge, NY - $374,646
- ECLI-VIBES in Islandia, NY - $1,217,801
- Family And Children’s Association - $138,137
- Retreat Inc. in East Hampton, NY - $2,050,140
- Sepa Mujer in Patchogue, NY- $245,713
This is the most grant awards OVS has ever given out. The agency currently funds 219 unique grantees. Annual grant awards range from $72,000 to $4.3 million, with an average award of $506,000.
Federal rules require OVS to prioritize funding for victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as underserved populations. Nearly half of the funding has been awarded programs supporting survivors of domestic violence; 22% to programs serving underserved communities; 15% to child abuse services; and 14% to sexual assault services.