Press Release

For Immediate Release
August 4, 2010

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) and Councilman Jimmy Vacca visited the Crime Victims Support Services (CVSS) of the North Bronx on Tuesday, August 3. Together, they saw firsthand how the $10,000 Congressman Crowley secured in federal funding through his Crime Stoppers initiative has been put to use. CVSS is a non-profit that provides services for and assistance to innocent victims of crime and abuse. The group was joined by local crime victims who shared their personal stories and their experiences in obtaining help through CVSS.

“Unfortunately, as long as there is crime on the streets, there will be victims who need help from organizations like Crime Victims Support Services,” said Congressman Crowley. “The services CVSS provides are essential to our community and I am pleased to have been able to secure federal funding to help CVSS do what it does best – help people.”

“Crime Victims Support Services truly does God’s work, comforting and assisting crime victims and their families at moments when it can often seem like all is lost,” said Councilman Vacca. “I am incredibly grateful to Congressman Crowley for bringing home necessary funding for this important program and for coming to the aid of members of our community who are tragically and senselessly impacted by crime.”

Congressman Crowley secured the $10,000 from the Department of Justice through the annual federal appropriations process. The organization is using the funds to enhance its broad range of services, including claim assistance, domestic violence advocacy, client counseling, court assistance and outreach programs.
 
"As always, Congressman Crowley has come through with financial aid to support the services which are so vital to innocent victims of crime. Our program helps individuals and families – emotionally and financially – through situations that impact them for life, so I am truly grateful for the support Congressman Crowley continues to give this program,” said Joanne Cicero, executive director of CVSS.

"I hope that one day we can put CVSS out of business due to a lack of demand, but until that time comes funding for anti-crime and victims’ rights programs must continue to be made available,” said Crowley. “I will continue to work hard to bring these grants to the Bronx to help make our neighborhoods safe and improve quality of life for all residents.”
 
Congressman Crowley is a six-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives who sits on the exclusive Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over Medicare, Social Security and many other issues involving seniors, as well as students. Crowley established the Crime Stoppers quality of life program in Fiscal Year 2002 to provide small grants to community groups and organizations that are working to reduce crime, make quality of life improvements, and strengthen families and communities across the Bronx and Queens. Over the last seven years, he has secured more than $1.1 million for the Crime Stoppers initiative.

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