Celebrating A Landmark Investment
in Victim Services
We are thrilled to share some incredible news! Governor Whitmer’s fiscal year 2024 budget has approved a groundbreaking $30 million for victim services – one of Michigan’s largest and most historic investments in services for crime victims and survivors.
While we cherish this moment, we are also aware of the challenges ahead. Like many other organizations in our state, we rely on federal grants from The Victims of Crime Act, and we’re bracing for a potential 30% cut in funding – the very grant that forms the backbone of our initiatives. These reductions won’t just impact us, but our fellow sister agencies that are dedicated to helping families escape abuse.
Amidst these challenges, we have some uplifting news to share! We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our exceptional leadership team, especially our Executive Director, Beth Larsen, whose unwavering strength and visionary planning have been instrumental in navigating federal and state funding challenges for the future of our agency.
Additionally, we want to express our gratitude to our Program Director, Megan Hennessey, for her relentless advocacy efforts. Megan’s passion and advocacy in Lansing on behalf of survivors led to a significant breakthrough at the State level. Through her dedication, Megan successfully persuaded the State of Michigan’s Appropriations Committee to include Domestic Violence agencies in the General State Budget for the first time in history. This remarkable achievement has resulted in a $27 million allocation to support our collective efforts.
This crucial funding will be distributed among all the Domestic Violence and Children’s Advocacy Centers across our state, making a substantial impact on our ability to serve those in need. Megan’s hard work and dedication have been nothing short of inspiring, and we invite you all to join us in thanking her for her outstanding contributions.
As we face the challenges of potential funding cuts, Governor Whitmer’s investment comes as a lifeline for agencies providing critical services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking. Together, with the State’s support, we will continue to provide consistent, compassionate, and reliable services to anyone in our community who may need it.
We are immensely grateful to Governor Whitmer and to the leaders in Michigan who prioritize the needs of survivors and took concrete action to secure critical program funding. With your unwavering support, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of survivors and their families.
As we move forward, we know that together, we can overcome any challenge and bring hope and healing to those who have suffered. Your support has brought us to this moment, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with all of you.
Thank you for being a part of our mission to end violence and create a safer, more compassionate world for all. Your support truly makes a difference!
To make a donation to support survivors: www.ResilienceMI.org/donate
