Des Moines, Iowa – Children & Families of Iowa (CFI) received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to provide additional transitional housing support for victims of domestic violence.
The award of $300,000 will assist CFI in helping survivors of domestic violence who have committed to starting new lives, free from violence. These individuals are often women with small children who face barriers to self-sufficiency such as low or no income, educational or mental health issues, lack of legal and medical resources and substance abuse. However, a lack of affordable housing is the single greatest need among people seeking to escape an abusive relationship and build lives of self-sufficiency. CFI’s Compass housing project helps survivors get started on their own by providing women with temporary housing while they seek steady jobs that will provide enough income to support themselves once their lease with CFI is up. Compass consists of seven units and is located in Des Moines’ urban core.
Along with housing, funds will help provide options for other short-term housing assistance and community support services including; individual case management, self-sufficiency and empowerment classes, transportation assistance, mentoring, job training, legal aid services and substance abuse services.
“We are very pleased to have received this award for Children & Families of Iowa’s Compass transitional housing project,” says Children & Families of Iowa’s CEO Gloria Gray. “The women and children receiving help from this program will receive financial and community support while they focus on becoming independent.”
