KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Several Kansas City-area organizations that serve victims of crime are getting a boost to help provide their assistance.
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Friday the organizations would receive more than $300,000 in grant funds.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mission and Johnson and Wyandotte counties was given $19,000 toward recruiting and training “a diverse pool of volunteer advocates.”
CASA volunteers serve as a voice for abused or neglected children by monitoring their situation and reporting those findings to the court.
Friends of Yates in Kansas City, Kansas, received $51,952 for its operations, which includes providing shelter and outreach to victims leaving or living in abusive situation, according to the attorney general’s office.
Friends of Yates can also use the funds for train community organizations and agencies on domestic and teen dating violence.
The Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault in Kansas City, Missouri, received $56,500 "to provide effective fiscal and programmatic leadership, representation and services in support of survivors of sexual abuse and assault."
SAFEHOME was awarded $77,000 to give shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children. The funds will also provide emergency assistance, case management and community referrals to such victims.
SAFEHOME’s Overland Park location will receive an additional $32,156 for “free legal advocacy and representation for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.”
Sunflower House, Inc. was given more than $65,000 towards its mission.
The organization received $32,500 to get child victims “quality forensic interview” and family advocacy services in a timely manner.
Additionally, $27,725 at the Shawnee location will fund personal safety presentations for children, adults, and those who serve the at-risk and special needs communities.
More than $5,000 of Sunflower House’s grant money will go toward the operation of children’s advocacy centers.
The grants were funded through numerous state and local sources, including marriage licenses fees and county and municipal court costs.
