Financial assistance grants for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking program supports victim service providers, tribal governments, and tribal organizations to…

The Friendship Center of Helena received a $500,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women under the Financial Assistance to Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program (CFDA 16.063). The grant will support the Friendship Center in providing flexible financial assistance to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater Counties, Montana. The flexible assistance is intended to help survivors achieve safety, stability, and healing by covering essential expenses not easily met by traditional service providers, such as rent, utilities, transportation, healthcare, education, and other costs that contribute to long-term independence and well-being. The award period is from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2027.

Financial assistance grants for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking program supports victim service providers, tribal governments, and tribal organizations to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, alongside other victim services. Flexible financial assistance is intended to support survivors in achieving safety, stability, and healing by paying for necessities that are not easily met by traditional service providers and with the flexibility to meet self-identified needs quickly. Recipients under this new program will provide flexible financial assistance to support survivor-identified needs that could include, but are not limited to, support for rent, security deposits, utilities, transportation, children's needs, physical or mental health expenses, education expenses, debt, and/or other expenses that contribute to a survivor's long-term safety, well-being, independence, and financial stability.