New York - Children’s Aid is proud to receive a three-year grant award of more than $1.1 million from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Criminal Justice Investment to further grow its domestic violence prevention work that fosters family stability and success, as well as children’s long-term well-being and achievement in life.
“We were so excited and grateful to hear the news that the Family Wellness Program of Children’s Aid was selected to receive a grant from the Manhattan DA’s Criminal Justice Investment Initiative,” said Nazy Kaffashan, the program’s director. “Not only will this grant support our existing services to survivors of the crime of domestic violence, but it will allow our program to enhance and expand upon the depth, breadth and capacity of our services to these families with the goal of helping them heal from the trauma of abuse, establish long term safety and stability, and end the intergenerational cycle of abuse.”
The Family Wellness Program helps survivors of domestic violence feel safe, financially secure, and, with the support of the grant, will help our clients feel more empowered to report domestic violence committed against them to the authorities. While there’s a particular focus on supporting families involved in the child welfare system, any individual interested in developing healthier relationships for their children and their families can access Children’s Aid domestic violence prevention services.
Trained case workers and counselors assess the needs of each family and strategize age-appropriate support for all members who either experienced or witnessed abuse. Survivors are given the space to heal in both individual and group counseling. And to ensure that child care doesn’t present an additional barrier to accessing help, the Family Wellness program also offers play groups and counseling for children. Teens who witnessed abuse at home or are in abusive relationships themselves receive counseling where they learn to define healthy relationships. The Children’s Aid Family Wellness program also offers intervention work for abusive partners who are invested in ending the cycle of violence.
“District Attorney Vance is sending such an important message to New York City by establishing these grants,” said Miriam Martinez, the chief program officer at Children’s Aid. “We are honored to be given the responsibility to support victims of domestic abuse and to help provide all members of families with the resources they need to build safe, secure homes.”
The Children’s Aid Society is an independent, nonprofit organization established to serve the children of New York City. Our mission is to help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics, and camps. For additional information, please call Anthony Ramos at (212) 949-4938/ (917) 204-8214, email anthonyr@childrensaidsociety.org, or visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.