The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded Womanspace Inc. $352,416 in federal funding under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grant for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking (Transitional Housing Assistance) Program.
Womanspace, based in Lawrenceville, will use the funding to provide housing and housing assistance in addition to supportive services to Mercer County victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking.
"Womanspace is thrilled and extremely grateful to have been chosen as the recipient for the Department of Justice Transitional Housing grant," said Executive Director Patricia Hart. "One of the most urgent needs for families fleeing domestic violence is for housing. Without affordable, safe housing families are often forced to return to a dangerous environment.
"This three-year grant allows us to provide short and longer term housing for these families and to assist with supportive services, such as counseling, job readiness and training, job searches, children’s programming and so much more.
"Our families become active in school and training programs with the goal of finding employment that will help them to achieve self-sufficiency and to successful transition into a peaceful and safe home that they can afford."
Grants under the program are focused on supporting a holistic, victim-centered approach to provide transitional housing services that move individuals into permanent housing.
Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault in Mercer County are encouraged to call the 24-hour hotline at 609-394-9000 or the New Jersey Statewide Domestic Violence 24-hour hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233).
