BOSTON, MA., August 25, 2022 – The Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) has awarded $2,389,303 to five victim service agencies that are led by and support communities of color in Western Massachusetts. The initial contracts, supported through the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), each began on August 1, 2022, and will last through June 30, 2024, spanning state fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
The community-based programs are all located in either Hampden or Berkshire Counties and provide violence-related services. These services range in focus from gun violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and bullying/harassment. All services provided are culturally specific to subsets of local Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, with the most served groups amongst the grantees being the local Hispanic and Black communities.
“MOVA envisions a Commonwealth in which all victims and survivors of crime can access rights and high-quality services that are reflective of our diverse communities; culturally responsive and trauma-informed; and in which their voices and experiences are heard, valued, and amplified,” said Liam Lowney, MOVA Executive Director. “We are thrilled to support and partner with these programs who work day in and out helping survivors overcome the barriers they face accessing help in the wake of violence.”
The dedication of funds to support culturally reflective, high-quality services in Western Massachusetts aligns with MOVA’s 2021-2024 strategic plan. This targeted grant program is in pursuit of equity and accessibility, informed by an assessment and analysis of the needs and demographics of victim services in Massachusetts.
