Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $400,000 in federal funding for Unity House of Troy, Inc. The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women and will be used support senior survivors of abuse in Rensselaer County. Specifically, Unity House of Troy, Inc. will collaborate with the Troy Police Department, the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office, and the Eddy Heritage House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to develop programming and training to mitigate the neglect, exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking of seniors aged 50 and older.
“This federal funding will provide invaluable services to senior victims of domestic violence and abuse in Rensselaer County, as well as help prevent future incidents. We must send an unequivocal message that domestic violence and violence against women will not be tolerated,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased that the Department of Justice has provided this funding to the Unity House of Troy, and will continue fighting to ensure that all victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have the services and support they need.”
“Sexual assault, domestic violence, and abuse are devastating problems, and we must do everything we can to prevent them. This critical funding will help Unity House of Troy, Inc. protect seniors who are survivors by training community leaders to recognize the signs of abuse and by offering services to survivors,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is important that we support the survivors of abuse as they seek assistance. I will continue fighting in the Senate for the resources that help protect survivors.”
“Unity House is honored to have received funding from the Office on Violence against Women to address elder abuse within the City of Troy. Through strong community collaboration, specialized training initiatives, and enhanced outreach and services specifically designed for older Troy residents, we expect this project to positively impact the systems and services addressing victimization of older citizens,” said Chris Burke, CEO, Unity House of Troy.
This funding was allocated through the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program. This program aims to increase and strengthen training for police, prosecutors, and the judiciary in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of abuse, neglect, exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual assault against seniors. The program also supports cross-training for survivor service organizations, governmental agencies, courts, law enforcement, and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations serving senior survivors.