Manhattan DA gives $12M to crucial social service groups

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is reaching out to some of the most vulnerable victims in the city. The office is allocating $12 million to services for children, domestic abuse survivors, and rape victims.

District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. made the announcement on Denim Day, an annual event that is rooted in a sexual assault case where the judge chose to disbelieve the victim because she was wearing blue jeans. Wearing denim today for some is considered a connection to the survivor community, which is a win.

The funding will go to 10 organizations that help marginalized communities, such as people of color, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and non-English speakers and immigrants. The work they do is in the trenches and far-reaching.

One of the benefactors is the Children's Aid Society. Program Director Nazy Kaffashan says the agency has a wait-list because it cannot handle the demand for its services. She says the funding will allow the Children's Aid Society to hire additional social workers and a case planner. Children's Aid Society works to help children heal from trauma, establish safety and stability in households, and break the generational cycle of abuse.