Queens – In an effort to bring financial relief to non-profits who serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic proudly announced that the State of New York is rolling out new funding made available through federal grants and the Governor’s office. Two of the recipients, include Flushing-based Korean American Family Service Center and New York Asian Women’s Center.

“These critical funds will go a long way to ensure that victims of sexual assault and domestic violence receive the assistance they require,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). “Sexual assault and domestic violence are crimes that continue to affect way too many women and families, and we must do all we can to help combat these heinous acts.”

“It is a tragedy that over the course of their lives, one in four women will experience domestic violence. These federal grants will assist thousands of community organizations that are battling this epidemic every day by supporting survivors and informing the public. I want to congratulate the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC) in particular on their grant, which recognizes the important work they’ve been doing in the Korean community for the last 25 years. I am proud to have marched with KAFSC and its founder Kwanghee Kim every year to honor the survivors of domestic violence and am glad that this grant will help them in their mission to stop the silence and end the violence,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing).

“This new funding is terrific news for many women in Queens,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows). “Our non-profits do not always have the cash flow to make big investments, but this funding stream will help cover some of those costs. I commend Governor Cuomo for his efforts and for continuing to be a strong community partner.”

Jungsook “Grace” Yoon, Executive Director of the Korean American Family Service Center said, “We are so thrilled and proud to be a part of over 90 recipients of this continued VAWA funding through New York State to provide critical services to DV and SA victims and their dependents in a grassroots and culturally and linguistically competent ways. We see a 30% increase in the funding, which will support our bilingual counselors. Our Asian/Korean and immigrant community face additional barriers in speaking out and seeking help; this support will strengthen our ability to conduct community outreach, train volunteers, and respond to over 200 hotline calls a month timely and properly.”

Larry Lee, Executive Director of the New York Asian Women’s Center said, “The New York Asian Women’s Center is pleased to have received a grant through this funding. We will be providing outreach and Asian-based counseling services to sexual assault survivors in Elmhurst and other Queens neighborhoods. We applaud New York State for making sexual assault services a high priority.”

Assemblywoman Rozic has been a strong advocate for women’s causes and has written and passed legislation to protect victims of domestic violence. For more information about organizations or resources to assist domestic violence victims, contact Rozic’s office at 718-820-0241.