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We Can Help. 914-345-5900 • help@mhawestchester.org |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Turner
Mental Health Association of Westchester’s Family Abuse Court Services Program Receives $10,000 Grant from Journal News & Gannett FoundationWestchester County, NY, January 25, 2008 - The Journal News and the Gannett Foundation have awarded The Mental Health Association of Westchester County, Inc. (MHA) a $10,000 grant in support of Family Abuse Court Services (FACS), the County’s only volunteer court advocacy program for victims of domestic abuse. Founded by MHA in 1977, FACS is an on-site service available free of charge at all three Westchester Family Courts. FACS volunteers receive intensive training to provide domestic violence victims with specialized services that include crisis support, advocacy, referrals and safety planning. The new grant will help FACS provide services to the more than 2,000 domestic violence victims expected by MHA to seek help through the program in 2008. MHA Assistant Executive Director Carla Quail, LCSW, emphasized the key role played by volunteer counselors in the program’s three decades of success. “The staff and trained volunteers of Family Abuse Court Services are guides to vulnerable families in a time of crisis. Without these committed and skilled volunteers, frightened individuals seeking to protect themselves and their children from an abusive partner may never have the courage to go through the challenges of the court system. Committed volunteers are always needed for such rewarding work.” Information about how to become a FACS volunteer is available from Program Director Blanche Goodman at (914) 345-5900, extension 245. The Mental Health Association of Westchester County, Inc. (MHA), a not-for profit organization, is the leading
resource for mental health services in Westchester. Through its advocacy, education and direct services, MHA
meets a broad spectrum of critical needs of thousands of children, adults and families each year. Prevention
of domestic violence, treatment for the trauma experienced by its victims and support for affected family
members constitute a major component of MHA’s program activities. Visit MHA’s website,
www.mhawestchester.org, for information on critical mental health issues and services in Westchester County.
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