Families in the Salt Lake area will have just a little bit more help after the YWCA announced that it won a substantial grant.
The $49,782 one-year grant was announced Wednesday and comes from the Avon Foundation for Women. According to YWCA marketing and communication manager Mike Varanakis, the money will be used to create a new position at the Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center (SLAFJC). The new hire will help women impacted by domestic violence become economically self-sufficient, obtain housing and access other resources.
Varanakis said the SLAFJC is a part of the YWCA. It opened in 2007 and expanded in June. It provides legal, parenting and other life-enhancement services to women and other adults in unsafe relationships. Since opening, the center has served 3,691 people, according to a news release.
The grant is part the Avon Foundation for Women's efforts to combat domestic violence. Representatives for the foundation could not immediately be reached Wednesday afternoon.
Jim Dalrymple