S.A.F.E. awarded collaborative grant from the Judicial Council of Georgia

The Judicial Council of Georgia Domestic Violence Committee awarded over two million dollars to eight nonprofit agencies throughout Georgia. It is estimated that these funds will provide civil legal services to 4,000 Georgians. "This grant to protect victims of domestic violence allows us to provide essential legal services to clients who are in critically dangerous situations," stated Steve Gottlieb, Director of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc., one of the recipients of funding. The

funds are annually appropriated to the Judicial Council by the Georgia General Assembly. Divorces, deportations, or other legal matters not associated with the victim's safety or economic security are not included.

S.A.F.E., in collaboration with four other North Georgia shelter programs, made application to the Administrative Office of the Courts and was awarded a grant of $48,284.26. The other shelters in the group are Circle of Hope in Cornelia, F.A.I.T.H. in Clayton, Northeast Georgia Council on

Domestic Violence in Hartwell, and N.O.A. in Dahlonega. S.A.F.E. will serve as the administrator of this grant for the collaborative.

"The Committee takes its work seriously," stated Committee Chair, the Honorable William T. Boyett, who is the Chief Superior Court Judge for the Conasauga Circuit and a member of the Judicial Council. "We are proud that the Legislature saw fit to continue this funding as victims all over our great state are directly benefited."