Options Receives $10,000 Grant
May 16th, 2010 by Submitted
State Senator Jimmy Jeffress and State Representative Allen Maxwell recently presented Options Director Brenda Nobles with a check for $10,000.00. Jeffress, Maxwell and Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin helped procure the funds through a Rural Services grant.
Options, Inc is an organization located in Monticello that provides emergency shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Options, Inc has a long and strong history of providing services to victims since 1989. Options, Inc is a certified shelter has met all the guidelines and standards required by the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence to be a certified shelter in the State of Arkansas for 2010.
The supportive services provided are: COURT ADVOCACY, LEGAL ADVOCACY, TRANSPORTATION, COUNSELING, GROUP SUPPORT, AND REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES. We also have an onsite food pantry to address the needs of the hungry in our area. Options, Inc is the only victim service agency in the 10th judicial district that provides emergency shelter and supportive services to victims in Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha and Drew Counties. Without Options, Inc’s supportive services and emergency shelter the victims of this area would have no one to assist them or be their voice and would have no place to escape the violence and abuse. The next closest shelter is in Pine Bluff and their catchment area is Lincoln County and Jefferson County.
Options, Inc partnered with Drew County and wrote the GIF 1 grant. With the help of Damon Lampkin, Drew County Judge, Senator Jimmy Jeffress, and Representative Allen Maxwell this grant was awarded to Drew County for community enhancement, which will help enable this community to continue to address the needs of those who have fallen into misfortunate. Lampkin, Jeffress, and Maxwell very well understand the needs and issues of victims of violence and the needs of their children. The community minded individuals also realize the importance of victims having a place to go in a time of crisis and the need for safety and crisis intervention in close proximity.
The purpose of the grant is to purchase the house that Options, Inc now occupies and has occupied since 1990. The house can be bought for $40,000.00 and the grant was funded for $10,000.00, leaving an additional $30,000.00 to be raised by August 1, 2010, which is the date Options has to move or purchase. Options, Inc will receive additional money from the Domestic Peace Fund in the amount of $8,000.00 that will be added to the house purchase fund leaving $22,000.00 to be raised.
Options, Inc needs assistance in the form of donations from the community to finish the goal of $40,000.00 for purchase, and an additional $10,000.00 for repairs, which we have estimates. Please send donations to Options, Inc Attn: Building Fund P.O. Box 554 Monticello, AR 71657. Time is running out so please help us. Thank you in advance for your support. Brenda Noble, Director, Staff, Board of Directors, and future Victims that will be assisted.
Choose another article
Newer article: UAM Graduation Videos
Older article: Convenience Store Clerk Robbed Sunday Morning
