BOSTON, April 5, 2018—On the same day that he presented $65,000 in free grants to community-based non-profit groups, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced today that his office received more than $426,000 in grant funding to support survivors of homicide and victims of gun violence.

Conley’s office has been selected by the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance to receive $426,110 in federal Victims of Crime Act funding over the next two fiscal years. MOVA is the Massachusetts administrator for the federal grants, which fund state and community-based organizations that offer services to crime victims.

The grant will support Conley’s Victim Witness Assistance Program in its efforts to increase services to survivors of homicide and unsolved homicide and to the victims of unsolved shootings. The funds will allow Conley’s office to assign a victim witness advocate to work with victims of non-fatal gun violence and administrative support staff to better serve homicide survivors, while also providing training opportunities for victim witness advocates, language services to better serve homicide survivors with limited English proficiency, and other forms of assistance during the course of investigations and trials.

Conley’s team of victim witness advocates work alongside prosecutors, investigators, and other members of the trial team to provide survivors, victims, and witnesses with information, support, and assistance through the stages of criminal prosecution. Advocates are assigned in each of Suffolk County’s district courts and to the specialized trial teams practicing in the Suffolk Superior Court.

“It’s often at the darkest moments of their lives – following an act of violence or loss of a loved one to murder – that victims and survivors find themselves speaking with a victim witness advocate,” Conley said. “We’ve always worked to serve the survivors, victims, and witnesses who need our help with the highest level of compassion and advocacy, and this funding will help better meet the needs of those we serve.”

Conley was notified of the grant shortly after a ceremony during which he presented presented cash awards totaling $65,000 to 13 community-based agencies through his annual Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Grant Program. The program takes cash and assets seized in drug trafficking prosecutions and awards them to non-profit organizations that help Suffolk County’s young people avoid drugs, gangs, and other risky activity.

This year’s recipients were ACE Mentor Program, Apprentice Learning, Community Action Programs Inter-City (CAPIC), Casserly House, East Boston Ecumenical Community Council, Gavin Foundation, Inquillinos Boricuas en Accion, Madison Park Development Corporation, More than Words, Parkway Community YMCA, Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps Detention Diversion Advocacy Program, and Upham’s Corner Health Committee.

“These groups are the unsung heroes of urban areas like ours,” Conley said. “Cities thrive when committed, compassionate, and innovative programs serve and support our young people. I’m deeply grateful to these partners for everything they’re doing to raise the quality of life across Suffolk County.”

District Attorney Daniel F. Conley presents $65,000 in cash awards to 13 community-based organizations that work to keep Suffolk County youth away from drugs, gangs, and violence.

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