The grants to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and SEX trafficking against children and youth program supports comprehensive, community-based…

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded a $500,000 Project Grant under the Consolidated And Technical Assistance Grant Program to Address Children and Youth Experiencing Domestic and Sexual Violence and Engage Men and Boys as Allies (CFDA 16.888) to Casa Myrna Vazquez, Inc. This 36-month grant, effective October 1, 2024, will enable Casa Myrna Vazquez, Inc. to: 1) expand a youth-led dating violence prevention program and establish a cohort of youth peer leaders; 2) develop training modules on digital and financial abuse; 3) partner with community-based organizations engaging men and boys impacted by violence; 4) provide peer leaders and youth affected by relationship abuse with ongoing financial literacy training, coaching, and economic stability planning; and 5) continue youth-led podcasts and expand the digital marketing awareness campaign. This project aligns with the OVW priority areas for economic justice and addressing online harm and abuse.

The grants to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and SEX trafficking against children and youth program supports comprehensive, community-based efforts to develop or expand prevention, intervention, treatment, and response strategies to address the needs of children and youth impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and SEX trafficking, including support for their non-abusing parents, caregivers, and legal guardians. With this grant funding, casa myrna vazquez, INC. Will address purpose area 2 for CY by serving children and youth ages 11-24 in the service area of boston, MA. In partnership with beat the odds, casa myrna, INC. Will: 1) expand a youth-led dating violence prevention program and establish a cohort of youth peer leaders; 2) develop training modules on digital and financial abuse; 3) partner with community-based organizations that engage men and boys impacted by violence; 4) provide peer leaders and youth affected by relationship abuse with ongoing financial literacy training and coaching, economic stability planning; and 5) continue youth-led podcasts and expand the digital marketing awareness campaign. This project addresses the OVW priority area for economic justice and the program-specific priority against online harm and abuse. The timing for performance of this award is 36 months.