Program Overview: Victims Support and Counseling grant proposal By Joe Blanken
Mission:
Our Victims Support and Counseling program is dedicated to providing trauma-informed, holistic care to individuals who have suffered human rights abuses. Through comprehensive counseling services, legal guidance, and empowerment-based resources, we help survivors reclaim their voice, restore their dignity, and pursue justice.
Statement of Need
Survivors of human rights violations—whether resulting from torture, unlawful detention, trafficking, political persecution, or systemic discrimination—often carry deep psychological and emotional wounds. Many experience post-traumatic stress, depression, social isolation, and distrust of institutional systems. Without targeted support, they may be unable to access justice, rebuild their lives, or advocate for their rights.
There is a critical need for specialized support systems that address both the emotional and practical challenges these individuals face. Unfortunately, such services are underfunded and under-resourced, leaving countless victims without the care they urgently need.
Program Goals and Objectives
Our program seeks to:
1. Provide trauma-informed counseling to victims of human rights abuses, helping them process their experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
2. Support access to justice by offering legal referrals, rights education, and advocacy tools.
3. Foster community and peer healing through support groups and survivor-led workshops.
4. Promote long-term empowerment by equipping survivors with skills, knowledge, and confidence to rebuild their lives.
Program Services
- Individual Counseling: One-on-one sessions with trained trauma therapists to support emotional healing.
- Crisis Intervention: Immediate support for individuals in acute distress or facing ongoing threats.
- Legal Navigation: Referrals to human rights attorneys, assistance with documentation, and preparation for testimony or interviews.
- Group Therapy: Peer-led spaces where survivors can share experiences and build solidarity.
- Education and Outreach: Workshops on trauma recovery, self-advocacy, and human rights protections.
Outcomes and Impact
With support from this grant, we aim to achieve the following measurable outcomes within the next 12 months:
- Provide direct counseling to 150+ survivors
- Facilitate 50+ legal consultations or referrals
- Host 20 peer support sessions and 10 community education workshops
- Develop and distribute culturally relevant **resource guides and tool-kits**
These outcomes will not only improve individual lives, but also contribute to systemic accountability and long-term resilience in affected communities.
Funding Request
We are seeking $180,000 in grant funding to:
- Expand our counseling staff and increase session availability
- Train additional peer facilitators and legal liaisons
- Develop multilingual outreach materials
- Support operational costs including case management and follow-up services
Your support will enable us to meet the growing demand for survivor-centered care and ensure that no victim is left without the resources they need to heal and seek justice.
In Summary
Every survivor deserves to be heard, supported, and empowered. Through your investment, you can help us provide life-changing support to those who have endured the unimaginable. Together, we can transform trauma into strength—and silence into justice.