Ithaca, N.Y. — A $10,000 grant will enable renovations at a safe house for victims of domestic violence, the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County announced Wednesday.
“The Advocacy Center’s safe house provides temporary shelter to individuals, families and children fleeing domestic violence,” a news release said.
More than 60 people went to the safe house in 2013, the news release said.
The grant is being awarded by the Verizon HopeLine Program.
“Because of this generous award, our residents will soon have a child-friendly and welcoming backyard,” said Naomi Barry, shelter manager for the Advocacy Center.
The Advocacy Center has existed in Tompkins County for more than 30 years.
Here’s the full news release:
Ithaca, NY – The Advocacy Center of Tompkins County has been awarded $10,000 from the Verizon HopeLine Program for the renovation of the backyard at the confidential domestic violence safe house. The Advocacy Center’s safe house provides temporary shelter to individuals, families, and children fleeing domestic violence. In 2013 over 60 individuals found safety and support through the safe house program.
“We are honored to be the recipient of the HopeLine grant and excited for the significant improvements the award allows us to make to the outdoor space,” states Heather Campbell, Executive Director of the Advocacy Center. Naomi Barry, Shelter Manager for the Advocacy Center, is thrilled at the direct impact the award will have on clients. “Because of this generous award, our residents will soon have a child-friendly and welcoming backyard,” says Barry. The Advocacy Center will use the funds to install play equipment and create culinary gardens.
The Advocacy Center has been serving victims of domestic and sexual violence in Tompkins County for more than 30 years. Supportive services are free of cost and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the hotline at 607-277-5000. Prevention education programs are also available. For more information visit www.theadvocacycenter.org or find them on Facebook at “Advocacy Center of Tompkins County.”