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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Daniris Espinal, Member of Survivor Voices Project at New Destiny Housing
4:22:26
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Daniris Espinal, a domestic violence survivor and member of New Destiny's Survivors Voices Project, testified about the importance of increasing funding for the micro grant program to support domestic violence survivors. She highlighted the financial and safety challenges faced by survivors and emphasized the need for more resources to provide critical services.
- The current funding of $1.2 million for the micro grant program is insufficient; Espinal argues it should be increased to $6 million.
- The program provides essential services such as housing assistance, case management, safety planning, and counseling.
- Inadequate funding leads to high staff turnover rates and limits the number of survivors who can be assisted.
Daniris Espinal
4:22:26
Good afternoon.
4:22:27
Thank you Chair Ayala and committee for allowing me to speak on the preliminary budget.
4:22:32
My name is Taniri Suspinan, a domestic violence survivor and a proud member of New Destiny's Survivors Voices Project.
4:22:40
Domestic violence affects countless individuals and one of the most significant barriers to escaping these abusive situations is financial insecurity.
4:22:49
Survivors experience psychological warfare through isolation, fears and threats.
4:22:55
They often grapple with the terrifying prospect of homelessness and wondering what if the shelters are full where would I go?
4:23:02
The shame of lacking resources navigating a language barrier or facing immigration issues can paralyze a person who desperately needs to flee an abusive relationship.
4:23:14
Alarmingly seventy five percent of domestic violence related homicides occur upon separation making the moment a survivor chooses to leave their abuser the most perilous time of all.
4:23:25
Last year the micro grant program received a mere 1,200,000 funding when it should be allocated 6,000,000 to truly meet the needs of survivors.
4:23:35
This essential program has provided life changing services such as housing assistance, case management, safety planning, and counseling.
4:23:44
It covers critical living expenses including rent, food, and children's needs.
4:23:49
However, the current funding levels fall short of supporting dedicated program staff leading to high turnover rates and diminishing the quality of care provided.
4:23:58
This instability detrimentally impacts both the implementation of services and the number of survivors that we can assist.
4:24:08
The flex funding is designed to be a low barrier for those who have faced unimaginable challenges.
4:24:14
Increasing this funding could generally save lives, offering hope and security to those striving to break the cycle of abuse.
4:24:22
Let us prioritize the resources necessary to empower survivors and foster their healing journey.
4:24:29
Thank you.