The grants to enhance culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20124

Through the Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services Program (CFDA 16.016) administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, the Korean-American Family Service Center (KAFSC) received a $400,000 Project Grant award on October 1, 2023 to support the Chin-Jung (Home Where Mother Is) Culturally Specific Services Community Project. This project will provide culturally and linguistically relevant prevention, intervention, and healing services to low-income Korean American and immigrant women, children, and families who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the greater New York tri-state area. Key services include a 24-hour bilingual hotline, safe housing, trauma-informed support groups, and cultural events focused on self-care and recovery. The project will also work to enhance community capacity, develop culturally specific educational programs, and address the unique dynamics of culture on victimization within the Korean American population. In addition, KAFSC has received sub-awards from state agencies to provide transitional housing assistance and engage men and boys as allies in violence prevention.

This program supports the maintenance and replication of existing successful community-based programs providing culturally specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as the development of innovative culturally specific strategies to enhance access to services and resources for victims who face obstacles to using more traditional programs. Culturally specific services means community-based services that include culturally relevant and linguistically specific services and resources to culturally specific communities which are statutorily defined as american indians (including alaska natives, eskimos, and aleuts); asian americans; native hawaiians and other pacific islanders; blacks; and hispanics. Projects must address at least one of the programs statutory purpose areas. Through this continuation culturally specific services program project, the korean american family service center, INC. Will implement a project addressing the following purpose areas: increase communities capacity to provide culturally specific resources and support for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking crimes and their families; enhance traditional services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking through the leadership of culturally specific programs offering services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; work in cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies highlighting culturally specific issues and resources regarding victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; provide culturally specific programs for children exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; provide culturally specific resources and services that address the safety, economic, housing, and workplace needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, orstalking, including emergency assistance; and examine the dynamics of culture and its impact on victimization and healing. The chin-jung (home where mother is) culturally specific services community project will serve low-income, korean american and immigrant women, children, and families victimized by domestic violence in the greater new york TRI-state area, with an emphasis on the highest korean-populated areas of the borough of queens county, new york city, and bergen county, new jersey. Specific activities will include: culturally specific prevention and intervention services, a 24-hour bilingual hotline, offer safe housing at their rainbow house, host an 8-week trauma-informed support group twice a year, and conduct BI-monthly family days for shelter residents to attend cultural events and other activities for self-care and healing.