Until Hope Unlimited received a $38,600 grant this summer, the fate of its domestic and sexual violence programs outside of the shelter were in jeopardy, said Dorothy Sparks, Hope Unlimited’s director.
The grant from State Crime Victims Assistance Fund along with a special allocation from the State General Fund will allow Hope Unlimited to continue for at least another year, taking clients to medical appointments, accompanying them to court dates, the hospital and to Social and Rehabilitation Services meetings.
“The grant has provided Hope Unlimited with a safety net,” Sparks said. “Without the money we would have had to cut back on our outside services.”
A portion of the money will also be used to hire a part-time volunteer coordinator to recruit and train volunteers.
“With the economy still sluggish, both volunteers and donations to Hope Unlimited have waned in the past couple of years,” Sparks said.
Unfortunately, for people trying to stretch each dollar to its maximum the stress too often will manifest itself in domestic violence.
“Throughout the year we have seen several people returning to the shelter because the stress at home has turned into violence against the spouse,” Sparks said.
Throughout April, May and June Hope Unlimited has responded to 153 crisis calls, helped 161 people through its outreach services and provided transportation to 36 individuals to legal meetings or medical appointments.
HOPE UNLIMITED is encouraging area residents to wear purple ribbons during the month of October in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Iola High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America have been helping Hope Unlimited to assemble the ribbons. Anyone wishing to show support in the fight against domestic violence can stop at Hope Unlimited, 8 N. Washington Ave. and request a ribbon.
