By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
ROCKFORD — The city will receive $499,999 in federal funding to continue developing and expanding the services of the Family Peace Center.
The money comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, the same federal agency that provided funding in 2018 for the city to open the center.
“Domestic violence accounts for one third of Rockford’s violent crime, and I’ve made it a priority of my administration to reduce the impact this has on our community,” Mayor Tom McNamara said in a news release. “I want to thank Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Bustos for their work in helping secure this vital funding to keep our efforts going for the next three years.”
The Family Peace Center, 315 N. Main St., provides a one-stop location for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and human trafficking to receive services and support. The new funding will be used to enhance safety and services for victims and expand operations support.
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“For many Americans, home is not always a safe place, and the COVID-19 pandemic has presented particular challenges for individuals facing abusive situations and domestic violence,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, said in a news release. “I’ve been proud to help secure federal funding for the Rockford Family Peace Center and am pleased to see it continue to grow and provide survivors and their families with the resources and support they need to heal.”
The Family Peace Center has served more than 525 survivors since opening in July 2020, according to the city.
“Over the last few years, I’ve partnered with Mayor Tom McNamara and Senator Dick Durbin to address domestic violence in the Rockford community by working to establish the Family Peace Center,” U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, said in the release. “As a sanctuary for survivors to turn to during their darkest hours, this center has become a vital resource for our community. I’m thankful for Mayor McNamara’s leadership on this important issue and honored to bring additional federal resources to help expand services for families in need.”
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This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.