photo by: The Willow Domestic Violence Center

Jessica Beeson

The Willow Domestic Violence Center in Lawrence has received additional funding to help support survivors of violence, as part of a statewide initiative that awarded more than $1.5 million to 29 agencies.

The state awarded $76,189 to The Willow, which offers shelter, services and support to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, in funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, or FVPSA, which enables organizations to deliver a wide range of services.

According to the state’s press release, funded services include outreach and education, emergency shelter, support groups, crisis intervention, advocacy for protection orders, court accompaniment and transportation assistance. The funding also supports initiatives to spread awareness to schools, communities and families on how to prevent violence.

Jessica Beeson, The Willow’s executive director, told the Journal-World that the center has been receiving this grant for several years. While the organization provides shelter, she emphasized that the funding will address other needs as well.

“At the Willow, we have a lot of different programs,” Beeson said. “We obviously have the emergency shelter … but actually, most of our clients don’t need emergency shelter. They need other support, (like) emotional support, safety planning, help with budgeting, relocating, things like that.”

The funds can also help cover rent and utility costs for Willow clients, allowing them to prioritize other needs.

“If we can use that money to pay for rent, then it frees up some of our unrestricted funds to help people pay car repairs or child support, these things that keep people employed and keep people housed, but sometimes aren’t funded by grants,” Beeson said.

Beeson also said that the grant would help the organization acquire an additional member for its community advocacy team, which helps with court advocacy and assistance, financial assistance and more.

“We’re hoping to grow the transitional housing and the community advocacy programs because both of those programs really help our survivors get housed and stay housed if they are experiencing homelessness because of domestic violence or needing to flee for their safety,” Beeson said.

Beeson estimates that in the course of the year The Willow has received over $1 million in state funding to support the center’s efforts.