DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Community organizations, businesses and residents in Delaware County are teaming up, as part of a new initiative to help crime victims.
It’s called the Delco Victims Stability fund and it allows local businesses and community members to donate towards neighbors going through a crisis.
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said the fund is a collaboration between first responders, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and other county nonprofits. It was founded to help victims handle immediate needs, such as vehicle and property repairs, after a crime.
“We are believers that if you are a victim here in Delaware County, you deserve to be supported,” Rouse said. “We’re collectively standing up to say we got your back.”
Tory Cason, with the Delaware County Victim Assistance Center, said the fund recognizes that supporting victims means more than just helping in the direct aftermath of a crime.
“This means helping them stay on their feet and work towards stability and healing,” she said. “We provide free therapy, legal assistance, accompaniment, advocacy throughout the medical and criminal justice process, a 24-hour crisis hotline, prevention education and so much more.
The fund received a donation of $5,000 from the nonprofit Families Behind the Badge Children's Foundation to get underway with its work. Donations can be made through the Victim Assistance Center.
