By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Sue Wray with BrightHouse noted that the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance and the Federal State Access and Visitation Program grant awards announced by the governor's office last week are vital to their operations.
"They're essential to keeping our doors open," Wray said. "They're really important. It is something that happens every year. The amount that was awarded to Brighthouse was $480,526."
Wray said that there are many things that money goes toward.
"Mostly, it's personnel costs," Wray said. "That pays the salaries of most of our advocates. That is the major thing. Then, there are some other areas. We use it for direct assistance to clients. That can include first month's rent, if we need to get someone out of an abusive situation. Last week, we bought three bus tickets, because we needed to get people away from an abusive situation and away from this area, to someplace where they had family."
It can also be important to getting someone the documents to be able to move on with their life.
"We can use it for recovering their driver's license, all their records," Wray said. "A lot of times, they have to leave without any of that. We can use that money for emergency assistance. It helps directly to clients. VOCA is very much directed to things that we can do to help clients get back on their feet and it get back into a safe and healthier situation."
A total of $22,030,829 was awarded to 66 agencies across Kansas.