Durham Crisis Response Center Collaboration with InStepp, Inc. Results in Support for At-Risk Women

Durham, NC, October 09, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC) is pleased to announce that the organization has received a grant of close to $592,000. The grant, awarded by the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women Transitional Housing Program, provides housing, support and other resources to Durham-area women fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

The DCRC’s transitional housing program is a collaborative effort with InStepp, Inc. DCRC will provide assistance finding permanent and safe housing, individual support services and case management as well, such as emotional and psychological counseling. Clients will be able to access household goods and furnishings through the agency’s thrift store, Pennies for Change. InStepp, Inc. will provide employability and life skills education in addition to employment counseling and mentoring support through its Employment Re-entry Assistance program to help domestic violence victims become economically independent.

“I’m extremely pleased DCRC has received this grant because there is no existing transitional housing program specifically for domestic violence victims,” said Gilda Womble, Executive Director of InStepp, Inc. She added “The program is especially important in an economic downturn because there are depleted resources for women escaping violent relationships.” The grant will provide 20 women and their children living in the Durham area with a two-year program of care and support and up to 18 months of intense counseling as they transition out of the DCRC’s shelter.

The DCRC works with the community to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, education, support and prevention. It has been the sole provider of comprehensive shelter and support services in the Durham area for 20 years. Aurelia Sands Belle, Executive Director of DCRC said, “We are proud to have this opportunity to provide these services to women in our community. The need for a transitional housing program is long overdue. It will mean helping women find their voices and gain freedom from the clutches of violence.”

InStepp, Inc. empowers at-risk women and adolescent girls in the community to succeed personally and professionally. The organization provides innovative gender-responsive training, education and prevention services.

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