For more than four decades, Jenesse has been a cornerstone of hope and support for survivors of domestic violence, particularly within the underserved communities of South Los Angeles. Founded by five Black women 43 years ago, our organization has provided comprehensive, culturally specific programs including shelter, counseling, direct legal assistance, permanent housing support, workforce development, and healthcare advocacy to more than 1300 survivors each year.
The recent announcement of anticipated cuts to the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) fund has sent shockwaves through agencies like Jenesse Center, prompting immediate concerns about the future of vital services for survivors of crime.
“We are deeply appreciative of Senator Laphonza Butler’s visit to Jenesse Center, where she gained a comprehensive understanding of our programs and the potential impact of the VOCA cuts. We are also thankful for Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove, who took the time to engage with our team and learn about the challenges and opportunities we face.
Recently, a group of legislators signed a letter in support of AB 1956, designed to provide $200M in ongoing funding to prevent VOCA cuts from impacting California programs in such a devastating fashion. Spearheaded by Assemblymember Eloise Gomez and signed by other assembly members, including Assemblymembers Tina McKinnor, Isaac Bryan, and Mike Gipson, this letter underscores the urgent need for sustained funding to protect vital services for survivors of crime
As stated in the letter, the possibility of layoffs becomes an unavoidable reality for agencies affected by these funding reductions. However, for many, this isn’t just a future risk—it’s a present reality. Jenesse Center has already felt the sting of financial uncertainty, with some agencies being forced to close their operations entirely due to budget shortfalls. In our case, drastic cuts are imminent. Moreover, the impact extends beyond direct service provision. Cuts have already begun to manifest in competitive grant programs, such as CalOES’s Legal Assistance for Victims grant, which we lost, equating to $214,000 in annual funding. This program, which has historically provided critical legal services to domestic violence victims, has seen a significant reduction in funding, leading to the closure of legal programs and layoffs of staff at agencies like Jenesse Center.
The consequences of these cuts are not conceptual—they directly affect the lives of survivors we serve. Access to legal services is essential for victims seeking safety, financial independence, and autonomy. Without these services, victims are left vulnerable, with limited options for escaping abuse. In communities already struggling with limited access to legal aid, the loss of VOCA funding exacerbates an already critical service gap. Additionally, the impact of these cuts extends beyond legal services. Programs aimed at preventing homelessness among survivors, such as eviction prevention services, have seen their budgets cut. For Jenesse Center, this means a significant reduction in our ability to support families in securing stable housing, potentially forcing victims back into abusive environments out of desperation.
The ripple effects of these funding cuts are profound. For organizations like Jenesse Center, which serve marginalized communities with specialized expertise and cultural competence, the loss of VOCA funding threatens to unravel years of progress in addressing chronic and generational traumas resulting from crime. The impact of VOCA funding cuts on Jenesse Center is staggering, with potential annual losses reaching up to $1.1 million. As smaller organizations uniquely positioned to address the specific needs of underserved communities, we face an uphill battle in preserving the vital services upon which so many survivors rely.
One of our program participants encapsulates this sentiment perfectly. Upon first being admitted to Jenesse, they sent the following message to one of our partners:
“I’m so very thankful and appreciative for this opportunity! I made it to the Jenesse house! My child is so happy which makes me happy! You have no idea how much you changed my life! I can finally breathe!”
Weeks later, the same client reached out again, this time to a Jenesse staff member:
“I just wanted to say this program is amazing! I have so many resources available, and the staff is great! I haven’t felt this safe and happy in a long time, my child included. I have been in touch with the representative from the legal department and tomorrow I will do an assessment with the representative from workforce development. I cannot thank you enough for this amazing opportunity.”
These words resonate deeply, reminding us of how our holistic programs at Jenesse impact the lives of survivors. We must protect essential services like ours, which provide hope and healing to individuals in their most challenging times.
