MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has received a $100,000 grant for Monterey County’s first Family Justice Center, Holding on to Hope, which will be located in King City at 250 Franciscan Way.
Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced Dec. 4 that the Family Justice Center was the recipient of the Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fund for Community Benefit Programs – Gun Violence Prevention Grant. The $100,000 award will begin Jan. 1, 2024.
According to the DA’s Office, the Kaiser Foundation Hospital grant will focus on increasing the community’s awareness on the relinquishment of firearms and remedies to better protect victims of interpersonal violence. It will also promote local partnerships with law enforcement agencies, public systems and community advocates to implement Senate Bill 320.
“The mission of the Monterey County Family Justice Center, Holding on to Hope, is to provide one place for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and human trafficking to receive services from governmental agencies and community-based organizations in order to aid in the breaking of generational violence,” stated the DA’s Office in a news release.
Family Justice Centers co-locate, coordinate and integrate services where victims and their children travel to fewer places and reduce the number of times they tell their story. With a commitment toward healing, community and safety, these centers strive to integrate partners to create a comprehensive service network to alleviate or prevent future crimes of violence.
“The Family Justice Center model’s documented and published outcomes include reduced homicides, increased victim safety, increased autonomy and empowerment for victims, reduced fear and anxiety for victims and their children, increased efficiency and coordination among service providers, increased prosecution of offenders, dramatically increased community support services to victims and their children, and reduced recantation and minimization by victims when they receive this level of support,” the DA’s Office stated.
Anyone with questions about the Monterey County Family Justice Center, Holding on to Hope, can call 831-385-8325 or email Ho****************@co.us.
