2016 State Attorney’s Denise Moon Memorial Fund Grant Recipients

Americans for Immigrant Justice – $50,000

AI Justice’s award-winning Lucha Program will assist 50 immigrant victims of human trafficking, sexual assault or domestic violence. Once they apply to legalize their status, they can get a work permit, Social Security card and driver’s license, tools they need to become independent and self-sustaining members of the community.

AYUDA – $29,250

To provide individual/substance abuse counseling and tutoring to adolescent first time offenders between the ages of 12-17 who are diverted from the Juvenile Justice System. We provide youth and families with the necessary tools and support to educate their youth/teens to become healthy, productive members of society

Catholic Charities Legal Services – $50,000

CLS helps immigrant crime victims understand & obtain legal status under U.S. immigration law. Immigration law permits undocumented victims of crimes, such as rape, domestic abuse and battery, who suffered mental and physical harm and cooperate with law enforcement to obtain legal status and eventually U.S. Citizenship.

Cuban American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Project – $50,000

Program empowers Human Trafficking survivors by providing free legal services needed to distance themselves from the perpetrator(s). Services are tailor-made to meet specific needs and include but are not limited to: domestic violence injunctions, immigration, expungement, family and attorney ad litem in proceedings related to prosecution of the perpetrator(s).

Here’s Help – $40,000

Seed-to-Table is a job-training program consisting of interrelated horticulture and culinary arts components, annually serving 40 clients ages 18 to 25 (educationally disadvantaged individuals with limited job skills that often result in criminal involvement for financial gain) who enroll as a component of residential treatment at Here’s Help.

Ladies Empowerment and Action Program (LEAP) – $25,000

To reduce recidivism among incarcerated women by building a network of partner community service providers to help bridge the transition from prison to community with workforce development, housing, transportation, health and family counseling. The program will include a comprehensive needs assessment of LEAP participants within one year of release.

Lotus House Women’s Shelter– $50,000

Assessment, shelter in a shared community, meals, clothing, help accessing benefits and wrap-around supportive services are provided. To address the impacts of being victims of past or current victims of crimes, emphasis is on evidence based/informed trauma focused counseling and parenting skills to break the cycle of homelessness and violence.

Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services – $40,000

Miami Bridge proposes to provide emergency shelter to homeless youth victims of crime. Licensed and certified professional trained to work with trauma victims will be assigned to victim and the general shelter population. Outreach and education will be provided externally while family are utilizing our services.

Miami Children’s Initiative – $40,000

MCI’s Peacemaker program is a community safety initiative within the MCI impact zone that drastically reduces crime and increases resident’s use of available resources and services. The Peacemaker Program focuses on a physical presence on targeted blocks to prevent and reduce crime as well as activities that promote community-building.

MUJER – $49,884

The One Stop Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center provides comprehensive services to all victims of abuse, including adults and children in south Miami-Dade County. It is the only certified rape crisis program that serves victims residing south of Kendall Drive.  Victim advocacy and care coordination and therapy services will be provided.

PACE Center for Girls, Inc. – $40,000

The Resource Specialist will support the students by providing a designated PACE staff who understands our strength based, gender responsive approach. They will administer testing, provide substitute services and collaborate with counselors and teaching staff to gain insight on student behavioral disorders affecting the learning process.

RJT Foundation – $10,000

RJT Foundation will help individuals and families overcome the personal, emotional and other challenges they face as a result of being victims of crime. RJT promotes taking a stand against violence and bullying through volunteerism, safety awareness, and by empowering families to reduce violence and crime.

Survivors Pathway Corporation – $50,000

Provide mental health and advocacy services to Immigrant Latino adult women and gender non-conforming youth victims of domestic and sexual violence, and risk or victims of sex trafficking. Services will be rendered at our office located inside of the 11th circuit of the court at Hialeah Courthouse and at our main facilities.

The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade – $27,116

The Women’s Fund will bring together different sectors of the community working to stop trafficking to develop a comprehensive, collaborative campaign to educate and inform the community about this issue. The goal will be to make more people aware of trafficking and how we can work together to address the issue in a meaningful and impactful way.

Transition, Inc. – $46,300

Transition will launch a Boot Camp Reentry Program to work with the cadets upon their release back to the community as a part of Boot Camp’s Phase III.  A Reentry Coordinator will be hired to provide wrap-around services to cadets with a focus on continued education and training to ensure a successful transition from jail to home.

Victim Response, Inc./The Lodge –  $50,000

To provide continued Direct Relief Emergency Funds to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other victims of crime and their family members, and to enhance victim assistance in the VRI transitional housing program.

VIDA Legal Assistance – $50,000

VIDA Miami will provide free quality legal representation in immigration matters to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking using a victim-centered trauma-informed model. This project will strengthen survivor’s ability to support themselves & their families, help them access other services & lead a life free of abuse.

Voices for Children Foundation – $50,000

Dependent human trafficking victims will achieve the emotional stability needed to heal & thrive through caring support & legal advocacy towards ongoing acceptance & use of vital services: specialized therapeutic foster homes; therapy for PTSD; chosen school/vocational engagement; and, if in victims’ best interest, help prosecuting traffickers to prevent future human trafficking.