July 2024

**ENDGBV will be releasing future newsletters on a bimonthly schedule**

WHAT'S NEW

Respect First

We are excited to announce our partnership with the RISE Project to bring Respect First to the youth of New York City - Launching Fall 2024!

Part of New York City's initiative for Interrupting Violence at Home (IVAH) is Respect First, a trauma-informed and culturally-responsive accountability program for young people ages 13-21 who have exhibited abusive behavior toward their intimate partners or family members. We believe true prevention work for domestic and gender-based violence must include resources for those who have done harm, so that we can understand and change their behaviors, work towards building healthier relationships, and end cycles of violence. We are committed to developing evidence-based intervention programs that address abusive behavior with the goal of reducing future abuse in intimate relationships.

The Respect First program will use curriculum-based groups along with individualized assessments of program participants, case management, counseling, and other supportive services. Referrals will be accepted on a voluntary basis through the community, or via court mandates. The RISE Project, our contracted provider, is gearing up to provide this programming citywide as a program within their Paths to Healing division. We will share more in the coming months about expected program launch dates and referral information.

In partnership with ENDGBV and the Committee on Gender Equity (CGE), the Street Harassment Prevention Advisory Board (SHPAB) has released a Resource Guide with practical information for every New Yorker. Street harassment is defined as: "Unwanted or unwelcome disrespectful, offensive, or threatening statements, gestures or other behavior directed at a person in public based on the person's actual or perceived age, race, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, disability, sexual orientation, or any other trait, status or condition".

This guide is designed to address:

• Being harassed in public
• How to support those who are targeted by harassment
• Information on resources and trainings for both bystanders and those who were subject to harassment
• How to report instances of harassment

In addition, Right to Be, a non-profit organization and SHPAB member, is holding free Bystander Trainings that are open to all.  

The next training  "Bystanders in the Workplace Demo", is on August 8th from 12:30-1:00pm EST. Click this link to register Bystander Intervention in the Workplace Demo - Right To Be

To learn more and review their training schedule, visit here at Bystander Intervention - Right To Be.

The Queens Family Justice Center (QFJC) celebrates its Sweet Sixteen on July 15th! Since opening in 2008 the Center has consistently served a high volume of clients from a wide range of backgrounds. Executive Director Susan Jacobs had this to say about the QFJC's lasting impact in the community:

 The Queens Family Justice Center (QFJC) has been a cornerstone of support for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence from its opening in July 2008. Since then, the QFJC has served 104,667 clients through 223,504 visits, partnering with city agencies, community, social and civil legal services providers, and District Attorney's Offices. These partnerships enhance the center's ability to offer comprehensive, culturally, and linguistically competent support to survivors, including legal assistance, case management, counseling, and housing support in one central location. 

The QFJC provides tailored support to ensure that survivors receive the necessary resources to rebuild their lives. Key services include legal consultations, law enforcement assistance, youth services, personalized safety planning, and extensive community outreach and education initiatives. The QFJC serves the most foreign-born survivors and continues to provide critical resources and support to thousands of clients each year. The partnerships and expanded services underscore the QFJC's unwavering commitment to supporting survivors and fostering a safe and supportive environment. Here's to 16 years of impactful service and many more to come!

Our Brooklyn Family Justice Center (BkFJC) will be turning 19 on July 20th! ENDGBV opened the first Family Justice Center in Downtown Brooklyn on July 20th, 2005, with the goal of giving survivors a trauma-informed place to access the resources they need. The BkFJC has evolved significantly since then, expanding our partnerships with community-based organizations, and creating programming and events for the clients to enjoy. To celebrate their 19th anniversary, the BkFJC Executive Director Alice Hawks had this to say:

"In July 2024, the New York City Family Justice Center in Brooklyn ("BKFJC") marks its 19th year of service to Brooklyn. Since opening in 2005, the Brooklyn FJC has served 133,413 clients through 381,957 client visits. Almost 40% of Brooklyn FJC clients speak a language other than English and the Brooklyn FJC clients speak 104 different languages.

We are proud of many developments here, particularly how we grew our case management services to include new agencies with cultural and high risk specialties. We have strengthened our housing knowledge to assist clients in finding affordable, long term and stable housing. We have envisioned a new, larger BKFJC that we hope will open in 2025. That new BKFJC will allow us to grow our services and increase our collaborative efforts across disciplines.

I can't think of a better way to champion the work done at the BKFJC than to highlight some of the recent anonymous surveys we received from current clients. Here are a few of their responses to the question "What did you find most helpful about your visit to the FJC?":

"I could talk and say things I couldn't say before"

"The staff was great help and treated me with kindness. I got all the information that I need. They went beyond for me."

"This has all been very difficult and I almost was too terrified to come in. I'm so glad I did. The entire staff was phenomenally supportive. "

Thank you to the amazing current and past staff at the BKFJC, whose dedication and compassion has made this place an island of comfort for thousands of Brooklynites seeking safety."

EVENTS AND AWARENESS

National HIV Testing Day Event in Union Square

ENDGBV was proud to support New Yorkers and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in Union Square on June 25th  for National HIV Testing Day. Violence and discrimination against those living with HIV or other STIs is still an issue that persists and can often intersect with intimate partner or gender-based violence. We felt it was important to discuss the resources we have available for New Yorkers who are experiencing DV/GBV, and how HIV status intersects with the work we do. Additionally, clients who visit any one of our New York City Family Justice Centers can be referred for testing by our amazing partners at BOOM! Health, Voces Latinas, Community Health Network, CHASI, and ACQC.

US vs. Rahimi Update

As a follow up from our last newsletter, the Supreme Court in an 8 to 1 decision has ruled in favor of the US Government in US vs Rahimi, which prevents those who are subject to domestic violence (DV) restraining orders from owning a firearm. This was a crucial ruling to uphold basic protections for survivors of DV . From our partners to our staff, our Family Justice Centers are equipped to perform dynamic risk assessment and develop safety plans for situations in which an abusive partner has access to a firearm.  As we identify and address the needs of survivors at our FJC's, ENDGBV will continue to research the connection between guns and intimate partner violence and develop new and alternative responses for intimate partner violence that increase safety and prevent harm overall. For example, FTAP (Firearms Technical Assistance Program), a partnership with ENDGBV, the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), and HELP ROADS, a domestic violence service organization in Brownsville, to implement a pilot program in that community to create better linkages to services for those at risk of gun violence and other high lethality domestic violence, or Respect and Responsibility, a free, voluntary, community-based program that provides programming for people  who have caused harm to their intimate partner and want to change their behavior and end cycles of abuse.

Grant Opportunity: OVC FY24 Meeting the Basic Needs of Crime Victims in Underserved Communities

Grants.gov Deadline- July 29, 2024, 8:59 pm Eastern

Application JustGrants Deadline- August 1, 2024, 8:59 pm Eastern

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is hosting a grant program for organizations to provide relief for crime victims in the form of fulfilling basic needs such as transportation, temporary and transitional housing, clothing, food, and other items necessary for their wellbeing, healing, and safety. OVC is looking for applicants with ample experience providing direct services to historically marginalized communities, especially those impacted disproportionately by crime, violence, and victimization.

The office is budgeting to create 25 awards up to $200,000 each for a 24-month period of performance beginning on October 1st, 2024.

For more information about this grant and other grants OVC has to offer, check out their website here.

Funding Opportunity: SAMHSA FY24 Community-Based Maternal Behavioral Health Services Program

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering grant funding to strengthen access to behavioral healthcare during pregnancy and post partum stages of parenthood. The goal is to create referral networks between pregnancy and postpartum healthcare organizations and service providers that offer evidence-based and culturally relevant mental health counseling or substance abuse intervention.

The Administration is budgeting $15 million dollars for an anticipated number of six (6) award recipients for programming lasting up to five (5) years, with an estimated $500,000 dollars per year. Cost sharing and matching is not required.

Eligibility for this grant is wide, SAMHSA is looking for State, Local, and Tribal governments, as well as non-profit organizations who can provide services and/or allocation of these services.

Learn more about this grant and others SAMHSA is offering here: Grants Dashboard | SAMHSA