City supports domestic violence program with grant
Date: 10/31/2012
By Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — A recent federal grant will insure the city can continue its commitment to combat domestic violence.
On Oct. 22, Mayor Michael Bissonnette announced that Chicopee had received a $15,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to provide domestic violence-related services to residents. The services will be administered through Womanshelter/Compañeras of Holyoke.
Carmen Nieves, community educator for Womanshelter/Compañeras said the CDBG grant was announced as part of the mayor's proclamation in recognition of Domestic Violence month, Oct. 1 to 31.
Nieves said Chicopee received a similar grant last year, and used the funds to assist approximately 300 women, children and men access services from Womanshelter/Compañeras.
"We don't have a site in Chicopee, but we do have a court advocate at the Chicopee District Court and that person assists Chicopee residents in accessing our services," she explained.
She added that the agency is "grateful" the city has earmarked those CDGB funds "to do that work."
Nieves expects the money will allow Womanshelter/Compañeras to aid approximately the same number of residents during this grant cycle, and she praised Bissonnette for his commitment to helping domestic violence victims.
"The mayor's office understands the issue and wants this intervention work," Nieves said. "[They want] batterers held accountable and want to be sure that if someone wants these services, that our agency is there to help."
