Missoula City-County Relationship Violence Services has been awarded a one-year $115,000 grant to support the Crime Victim Advocacy Program by the Montana Board of Crime Control. Senior Grant Administrator Shantelle Gaynor explains how the money will be used.

"It will help fund our core services of advocacy," Gaynor said. "By helping folks through the criminal justice system when there's a case being investigated by the police or has been charged by prosecutors. The other part of our services is civil advocacy which helps people in crisis get walk in services and can help get orders or protections. Just to get people the resources they need when they are in an immediate danger situation."

Gaynor says that in order to achieve in these programs, some of the grant will also go towards staffing.

"The need in Missoula is high," Gaynor said. "In order for us to have the level of staffing needed to be able to serve everyone who walks through our door, we need a blend of grant funds and local funds, so this helps us support two advocates."

So far this year Missoula City- County Relationship Violence Services has served around 1,905 clients.

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