Anniston-based 2nd Chance Inc. is receiving $47,472, including an economic stimulus grant of $19,228, to continue services to domestic violence victims in Calhoun, Cleburne, Etowah and Talladega counties. A $40,511 grant will help the Talladega County Child Advocacy Center continue serving child abuse victims and their families in Clay, Coosa and Talladega counties.

"These organizations provide services that are an important part of the recovery process for victims," Riley said. "The centers depend heavily upon private contributions so I urge area residents to be generous in their support."

In addition to safe shelter, 2nd Chance provides counseling, support groups, a 24-hour crisis line and assistance with court proceedings.

The organization also conducts an outreach program to educate the community about the problem of domestic violence and ways to help victims.

The organization will use the stimulus funds to maintain adequate staffing so full services remain available to victims during the current economic downturn.

The Child Advocacy Center offers counseling for victims and their families and assigns an advocate to each victim interviewed at the center.

The advocate ensures that victims' needs are met and prepares them for court proceedings. The center spares the child victim needless trauma by sharing the details of the abuse with other agencies involved in abuse investigations so that additional interviews are unnecessary.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Riley notified Susan Howell-Hogan, president of 2nd Chance's board, and Louis Zook, president of the Child Advocacy Center's board, that the grants had been approved.