By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman
DETROIT – The Triangle Foundation will soon receive its first grant from the State of Michigan. The $40,000 grant, awarded by the state's Crime Victim Services Commission under the Victims of Crime Act program, will fund Triangle's Anti-Violence Project, according to Victim Advocate Crystal Witt.
According to Witt, the Anti-Violence Project assists LGBT hate crime victims in a number of ways, from guiding victims through the legal process to providing referrals to shelters, health care providers, counselors and attorneys.
All referrals have been screened by Triangle to make sure they are LGBT-positive, said Witt.
"We don't at any time re-victimize the victim," she said. "We send them to GLBT-friendly organizations that we find through our screening process."
"We are proud to have the State of Michigan's support as we assist hundreds of clients who turn to us for help," said Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of Triangle Foundation. "We are serving people that no one else can or will and we are excited to have the Michigan Department of Community Health's support in helping this underserved population."
Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Governor Jennifer Granholm, said of the grant, "We are pleased to see there is an interest in protecting the rights of all victims of crime and intimidation throughout the state."
"This money will help mend broken bones and broken spirits," said Witt. "Funding sources to assist GLBT hate crime victims are few and far between. Triangle is honored to partner with the State of Michigan in providing vital services to survivors of cruel and insidious hate violence."
