Eliza Bryant Village to launch Elder Justice Center

With support from the Ohio Attorney General's office, Eliza Bryant Village plans to launch a new Elder Justice Center to provide temporary respite care for elders experiencing some form of trauma, violence, abuse, or criminal victimization.

The goal is to help connect them with various legal, financial and social service supports to get them back into a safe situation, according to a news release from Eliza Bryant Village, which provides services for seniors along the continuum of care.

On Oct. 11, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced $111.8 million in grants to crime victim service providers across Ohio. Eliza Bryant Village received two awards: continuation of the organization's core grant from last year of about $202,000 and a new grant totaling about $577,000 to launch its Elder Justice Center.

"This funding not only helps us launch a new service line, but also continues our 122 year-long legacy as an anchor institution in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood meeting the evolving needs of our community's most vulnerable elderly," said Danny R. Williams, president and CEO of Eliza Bryant Village, in a prepared statement. 

The Eliza Bryant Village Elder Justice Center is expected to launch in summer 2019, with 10 dedicated rooms for the center and plans to expand that number as appropriate.

Victimizing older adults is a growing local and national trend, according to the release. One in 10 seniors over the age of 60 has suffered some form of abuse or neglect, according to the release, which cites the National Council on Aging. 

According to the Center for Community Solutions, for every case of abuse that occurs, an estimated 23 remain veiled. 

Eliza Bryant Village received its first Victims of Crime Act grant, which was renewed for a second year. 

For a complete list of the grants awarded in the state, click here.

"Over the 18 months since the inception of our VOCA program at Eliza Bryant Village, we have become more acutely aware of the pervasiveness of abuse among seniors and the various types of violence and abuse they experience," Williams said. "We are excited to be at the forefront of this crisis, providing help and safety to those in need."

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Eliza Bryant Village to launch Elder Justice Center