Meng Helps Secure Federal Funds For Queens Organizations that Assist Domestic Violence Victims

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she has helped secure federal grants for two leading organizations that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence in Queens.

The funds include $300,000 for Garden of Hope (GOH) and $300,000 for the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC). Both groups, located in Flushing, Queens, will use the money to enhance their advocacy and services for survivors of domestic violence.

The grants are allocated by the Office on Violence Against Women, an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. They are made available under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. Meng was a cosponsor of the measure and had called for its passage early last year.

"These critical funds will significantly help these two organizations continue the great work they do to help victims of domestic violence," said Meng. "It is critical that groups like these have the resources they need, and I am pleased to help bring these federal dollars back here to Queens."

"Domestic and sexual violence is a hidden problem throughout many communities," said Garden of Hope Executive Director Yuanfen Chi. "Chinese survivors often experience barriers to seeking help, suffering in silence and isolation due to language and culture barriers. Garden of Hope believes that everyone deserves to live healthy and safe lives. We speak up for those who cannot speak, and work to help them gain their full dignity until they are respected and protected. We are so glad to know that we have been awarded this grant, and deeply appreciate Congresswoman Meng's long term support!"

"We are pleased and grateful that U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women granted KAFSC a two year grant of $300,000 to support our culturally appropriate Chin-jung Project serving low-income victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Korean and Asian immigrant community that seeks to decrease the gap between victims and available resources," said Jungsook "Grace" Yoon, Executive Director of the Korean American Family Service Center. "This timely funding will enable us to outreach to local businesses such as nail and beauty salons and continue providing a directly accessible, culturally familiar, safe haven of support and resources towards healing and self-sufficiency."

Both organizations will use the funding to conduct outreach to victims, supply shelter assistance, and provide individual or group counseling services to victims.

Established in 2004, Garden of Hope is a non-profit organization that provides domestic violence and sexual assault services to victims in the Chinese community. The group consists of staff, counselors, and volunteers who speak a wide range of Chinese dialects.

The Korean American Family Service Center, also a non-profit, was founded in 1989 to serve and empower low-income Korean Americans, and help Korean Americans who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The organization provides individual and group counseling and a 24-hour hotline, among other services.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed across the nation every October to raise awareness of domestic violence.