DVI of Lebanon County awarded half a million in federal funds to support survivors

Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County has been awarded $500,000 in congressional appropriations for improvements to the organization's emergency shelter facility and a secondary property.

DVI received a part of the $172.4 million in federal funds that was allocated for 142 community projects in Pennsylvania. The organization provides 24-hour crisis intervention and shelter, legal and medical advocacy, counseling, housing assistance, a support group, public education and community outreach in the Lebanon County area.

DVI will put the new funding toward increasing accessibility, improving safety and expanding services, according to executive director LeAnne Burchik.

"We are thrilled to receive this money, and are grateful to have had the support from not only U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), but also from our county commissioners, state senator Chis Gebhard, and community partners who submitted letters of support for this project,” Burchik said in a press release.

The funding will pay for a two-phase effort related to capital improvements. Phase One includes improving safety in the approach to the shelter building, securing a parking area, increasing wheelchair accessibility, and installing an elevator for improved access to upper floors. Phase Two will convert a secondary property into a multiuse space.

The appropriation is part of the first wave of FY 2024 government funding bills totaling $460 billion that President Biden signed into law. The bills advance nutrition assistance, anti-fentanyl programs, infrastructure funding and veterans' health care, as well as community projects.

“Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County provides vital services to help survivors heal and prevent future violence,” Casey said. “I delivered this funding for DVI because their facilities must be as safe, secure, and accessible as possible to protect and provide survivors with the support they need.”

More than 10 million people are abused each year in the United States, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In Pennsylvania, 104 victims died from domestic violence incidents last year.

DVI has provided services to domestic violence victims and their children in Lebanon County for more than 30 years.

The Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County provides free and confidential help 24/7 for individuals experiencing domestic violence. Those seeking help may contact DVI’s hotline at (717) 273-7190.

To learn more about The Domestic Violence Intervention of Lebanon County, residents can visit their website at dviolc.org.

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: DVI of Lebanon County receives federal funds for capital improvements