WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Paul E. Gillmor (R-Tiffin) phoned Seneca County Commissioner Ben Nutter today to inform him that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women approved a $331,675 grant for PatchWorks House in Seneca County.
“Receiving money from the federal government has become much more difficult as we work to reduce our deficit spending. And in these tight budget times, while Congress continues to trim the federal budget, it is important to focus funds on the most worthy projects. That is why this grant for PatchWorks House is so important. PatchWorks House provides a valuable service to Seneca County and funding for PatchWorks House is a good use of our tax dollars and a wise investment in Seneca County by the federal government,” Gillmor said.
PatchWorks House provides supervised visitation and safe exchange of children whose parents are involved in domestic violence situations. PatchWorks House had previously received funding from the federal government in 2003 to implement Seneca County’s Safe Havens Program. The 2006, grant is also being awarded to PatchWorks House under the Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Justice.
During a past letter of support for PatchWorks House, Gillmor wrote, “it is important to me that my constituents who are faced with situations involving domestic violence are afforded access to safe environments, educational programs, and job training and assistance programs.”
The grant award to Seneca County will fulfill the goals of: 1) increasing the swiftness and quality of visitation and exchanges for victims and their families; 2) increasing the availability of specialized services for domestic violence victims by increasing the staff of PatchWorks House serving domestic violence cases; 3) adding security staff and upgrading the security systems of PatchWorks House; and 4) increasing community collaboration and communication.
In 2005, Rep. Gillmor supported the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and increased funding for the Safe Havens Program. Gillmor’s vote helped secure a 46% increase in funding between 2006 and 2007 for the Safe Havens Program and ensures more than $187 million in funding for the Safe Havens Program between 2001 and 2011.
