By Raymond Billy
assistanteditor@jacksonvilleprogress.com
The Crisis Center of Anderson and Cherokee Counties is still awaiting word on possible discretionary funding from the Governor’s Office to lesson the impact of the roughly $160,000 in state funding it expected that wasn’t granted.
“At this time we still have not been informed if we will be funded or how much. However, the Governor’s Office has stated that they are planning to help. To what extent, we do not know,” said Donald Hammock, executive director of Crisis Center.
The expected funds would have come from the Victims of Crime Act grant the the center applied for through the East Texas Council of Governments. Crisis Center learned it was not getting VOCA funding from the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor’s Office in July and has been looking for ways to replace that money ever since, such as through state and national charities and grants.
Hammock said that the organization has received support from East Texans since news of its funding problem became public.
“We have had some good responses. Since the articles appeared (in the Jacksonville Daily Progress) we have collected an extra $14,000,” Hammock said. “However, this is far from the amount needed to just sustain the services that are provided to victims. At this time we still have a projected $150,000 deficit for next year. This will drastically hinder the amount of services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse,” he said.
Meanwhile, the center continues to move forward on starting new service programs. In August, the Crisis Center applied for two grants that it has not sought previously: the (stop) Violence Against Women grant and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention grant.
“The VAWA grant is to help sustain the services at our safe house and the JJDP is to help troubled youth who have been victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse,” Hammock said. “At this time, both of these grants are still pending. We have not heard any new news concerning these grants.”
Anyone interested in donating money to the Crisis Center can do so by mailing Crisis Center, 700 East Cherokee, Jacksonville, TX, 75766.
Local News
Crisis Center in a state of limbo regarding funds
- Local News
-
-
Agencies gearing up for Memorial Day weekend
The school year is wrapping up, and summer is almost here, but officials have some holiday safety tips to ensure the Memorial Day weekend is safe and fun for everyone.
-
Street blocked for sewer work
A portion of Bolton Street was blocked off Thursday as public works crews worked to find the source of a sewer stoppage.
-
Fourth-graders give scholarships, learn about college
As Tomato Fest approaches, officials with West Side Elementary school will have a booth to raise money for their West Side Elementary Alumni Scholarship given to graduating seniors.
-
Bullard council tables website decision
The Bullard city council tabled a decision on moving forward on a project for a new website design due to a lack of information.
-
LMC employees receive furlough notice
All but a core minimum group of Lon Morris employees received furlough notices Wednesday morning, and college President Miles McCall handed in his letter of resignation Tuesday, officials said Wednesday.
-
JISD alters graduation requirement for pair of subjects
Seniors at Jacksonville ISD will no longer have to take technology and health as a graduation requirement.
-
Rusk ISD lunch prices to rise 25 cents
A rise in school lunch prices is among several changes slated for Rusk ISD cafeterias.
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
At the half-way mark of early voting for the May 29 primary, 1,485 Cherokee County voters turned in their ballots at the polls.
-
Organizations provide summer lunches for students
As schools approach summer vacation, Jacksonville has four locations offering free meals to students through the Summer Food Program.
-
Dome homes
Within the gated community of Lakewood in Cherokee County, homes are being built, ones so unique realtors can count how many they have seen on one hand.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Agencies gearing up for Memorial Day weekend

