On December 4th, Churchill County Commissioners approved a $4,000 appropriation for Domestic Violence Intervention, Inc. (DVI), a Fallon-based nonprofit organization that provides support to victims of domestic violence. Carin Gomes, Executive Director of DVI since November 2024, requested the funds, which are designated for use in 2025.
In her letter to the commissioners, Gomes requested $20,000 to address projected needs for the DVI-owned safe house. This amount includes $8,000 for property repairs and $12,000 for emergency services and ongoing support for safe house residents. The organization is requesting that the remaining $16,000 of their initial request be considered in July, at the start of Churchill County’s 2025-26 fiscal year.
DVI has operated since 1982, initially paying rent on a county-owned property that transformed into a safe house for families in crisis. Several years ago, Churchill County transferred ownership of the house to DVI for one dollar, enabling the organization to continue its mission. Like any home, the property requires regular maintenance. According to Gomes, necessary repairs will cost approximately $8,000, with contracted builders scheduled to replace rotted and weather-damaged siding, repair trim, and restore a section of the security fence damaged by a windstorm.
Victim services organizations such as DVI typically rely on grant funding, but these grants generally cannot be used for capital improvements. This limitation led DVI to seek assistance from the Churchill County Commissioners to cover the costs of maintaining the safe house.
DVI offers a comprehensive range of services to victims of domestic violence, including counseling, support groups, clothing, and various legal services. These legal services include assistance with temporary orders of protection, preparation of victim impact letters, and applications for state crime victim reimbursement funds.
At the December meeting, the commissioners provided DVI with an initial $4,000 check. Gomes expressed her gratitude for the support, noting that the funding was an unexpected and welcome development, especially during the Christmas season.
Comment
Comments