Domestic Violence Action Center to Receive Federal Funds For Immigrant Program

A Hawai‘i nonprofit that provides legal information and representation to victims of domestic violence will receive nearly $400,000 in federal funding to support a program it provides to help immigrants.

According to a press release from the office of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawai’i Democrat and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Domestic Violence Action Center will receive $367,000 from this year’s appropriations bill. The funds will be used to support the organization’s Immigrant Triad Program, which provides legal and advocacy services for immigrant or limited English proficiency survivors of family violence and their children.

“This new earmark funding will help expand services for victims in Hawai’i, so that immigrant survivors of domestic violence have access to the appropriate language, legal and advocacy assistance they need to feel safe and supported,” Schatz said in the press release.

The center raises public awareness, builds community and offers outreach to immigrant and ethnic communities as well as cis, trans, non-conforming, and non-binary survivors of domestic violence. Its services include a legal helpline, legal representation in court, advocacy for clients and community education.

“Immigrant survivors of family violence experience particularly challenging circumstances,” said Domestic Violence Action Center CEO Nanci Kreidman in the press release. “They need assistance getting safe and support. DVAC has a program designed to assist immigrants navigate this journey.”