Local YWCA Receives Patriots Anti-Violence Grant

(File photography.)

Haverhill YWCA, Winter Street.

The YWCA of Greater Lawrence, which also operates the Haverhill YWCA, is one of six organizations to share more than $250,000 in domestic violence and sexual assault prevention grants, according to Attorney General Maura Healey’s office.

Money is set aside to be used to partner with, and provide support, to schools participating in Game Change: The Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership.

“These organizations do exceptional work providing prevention education to communities and resources to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across our state,” said Healey. “As we begin training students and school personnel in the fundamentals of healthy relationships and how to recognize signs of abuse, it’s important that schools are supported with access to crisis intervention and counseling services. These and many other great organizations are on the front lines, and they bring an invaluable expertise to this initiative.”

Other grant recipients are Womanshelter/Compañeras, Holyoke; Pathways for Change in partnership with the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, Worcester; REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, Waltham; New Hope, Attleboro; and Independence House, Hyannis.

“Ending sexual and domestic violence is a top priority for our team and our foundation,” said Robert Kraft. “We are committed to supporting both prevention and access to resources for survivors, and are proud to partner with these organizations in that work.”

During phase one, staff from each organization will participate in the regional trainings alongside participants from selected schools. Trainings will be conducted by Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), which addresses violence prevention. Run by the Center for Sport in Society at Northeastern University, MVP uses a sports-themed curriculum and employs collegiate athletes and former professional athletes as trainers.

Healey’s Office will select 30 high schools to receive more in-depth training for school staff, students, parents and administrators for phase two of the program, to begin in the fall. During phase two, the provider in each region will help train school staff and parents and will work with school administrators on policies and services for students and families dealing with violence. Students from each of those schools will also be trained to become peer leaders who can teach younger students about healthy relationships and bystander intervention.