Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded a $188,655 grant to the Victims of Crime and Leniency Angel House in Montgomery to assist victims of violent crimes in many counties throughout the state, including Covington County.

The nonprofit organization will use funds to continue providing services including trauma counseling, crime scene cleanup, crisis intervention and a 24-hour crisis line.

“Victims can find themselves in need of assistance to help cope with the issues associated with the emotional and physical trauma of violent crime,” Bentley said. “I commend VOCAL Angel House’s efforts in providing services to those victims who need it the most.”

The organization also assists victims of robbery and family members who have lost a loved one to homicide with filing for compensation. All services are provided free of charge to victims in Autauga, Bibb, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington and Wilcox counties.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.

“VOCAL Angel House provides needed services for those who have been victimized by violent crime,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “The organization’s work to help those who’ve been affected by violent crime shows how partnerships between state, local and nonprofit organizations can work to better the lives of those in need.”

Bentley notified Pamela Casey, VOCAL Angel House’s board president, that the grant had been approved. Matching funds of $7,955 are supplementing the grant.

Crime victims and family members may contact VOCAL directly for assistance at (800) 239-3219. More information about the organization’s programs and services is available at www.vocalonline.org.