(Council Bluffs, IA) Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, is pleased to announce it was recently awarded a $40,000, two-year grant from United Way of the Midlands (UWM) Community Impact Fund for its Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program. Thanks to the generosity of the UWM donors, Catholic Charities will be able to enhance the care its clients receive through this program.
This funding was awarded thanks to a dedicated group of community volunteers who meticulously reviewed applications and highlighted this program’s vital role in fostering a thriving community. Their commitment and insight underscore a collective effort through UWM to address pressing local needs, ensuring that this funding will directly contribute to meaningful, positive change.
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 35 percent of women and 29 percent of men in Iowa, and 33 percent of women and 28 percent of men in Nebraska, experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence and/or stalking in their lifetimes – which is higher than the national average. The adverse impacts of these acts of violence are not limited to individuals but also to their children, families and communities. The Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program supports anyone who faces these issues, regardless of background, through a 24/7 crisis hotline, an emergency shelter, one-on-one supportive advocacy, outreach education and more. The program provides a safe and encouraging environment for survivors to grow and move forward feeling empowered.
With the help of this grant, the Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program will be able to increase advocacy services and support survivors with their legal, medical, mental and financial needs. The program has also seen an increase in the need for outreach for survivors of Hispanic origin. This grant will help create and implement focused programming with bi-lingual and bi-cultural services to better support this population.
Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program clients are grateful for the individualized, hands-on and uplifting care they receive through the program.
“If I had not had the support of my advocate at my court hearing, I feel I would have given up pursuing critical actions necessary to better my situation,” said a Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program client.
“We are proud to partner with United Way of the Midlands to support those struggling in our communities,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director, Barbara Q. Decker. “This grant will enable a positive change in the lives of our clients.”