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Editor’s note: The following editorial is adapted from a letter from Judy Casteele, executive director of Project Horizon.
Staff, board and volunteers from Project Horizon took to the streets on Jan. 15, along with hundreds of their fellow community members, for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March sponsored by CARE Rockbridge. The united cry for justice was clear. To carry out the vision of the late Dr. King, a concerted effort is needed among concerned citizens. Rockbridge is fortunate to have so many people who would not only brave the cold, snowy day to make their voices known, but who also believe that justice and peace are necessary for our community to survive and thrive.
One sign among the many stood out. It was a quote from Dr. King: “The time is always ripe to do right.” In other words, it is never too late to stand up for justice. The time is here, and help is needed.
Project Horizon has provided vital services to victims of domestic, dating and sexual violence since it opened in 1982 as an allvolunteer organization. Over the years, it has grown from an all-volunteer team to a group of 24 professional staff and 35 dedicated volunteers. Hundreds of local citizens have contributed to these efforts through donations of supplies, financial gifts and time. Project Horizon relies on the generosity of the community to provide services such as its 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling for adults and children, forensic evidence collection services, child advocacy forensic interviewing, spiritual counseling, legal advocacy, services in Spanish, specialized services for underserved populations and violence prevention education in the local schools and colleges.
In 2023 alone, Project Horizon sheltered 113 victims of violence for 2,848 nights; provided counseling and advocacy for 721 victims; and answered 5,977 hotline calls. These services are now in danger.
While Project Horizon depends on the support of the community, most of its funding comes through state and federal grants. By this past July, VOCA (Victims of Crime Acts) funding – the major source of Project Horizon’s funding – had been cut by 47.5 percent over a period of five years. VOCA is federal funding that is disbursed through the state, primarily by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The cuts have led to a reduction of staff. Project Horizon cannot sustain cuts of this magnitude and continue to provide the same quality services the community expects and deserves.
For that reason, Project Horizon staff is joining with advocates from domestic and sexual violence programs, victim/witness programs and child advocacy center staff from all over the state to send a message to members of the Virginia General Assembly that it is time to “Put Victims First.” Del. Karrie Delaney and state Sen. Barbara Favola have both introduced bills to establish a new Put Victims First Fund that would make an initial investment of $30 million each year into the funds for grants to sexual and domestic violence programs, victim witness programs, child advocacy centers and other victim services providers. This does not represent a drastic increase in funding, but rather it will help restore vital services that have been reduced or eliminated across Virginia as VOCA funding has been drastically cut.
A resident in Project Horizon’s shelter recently said, “Without Project Horizon, I would still be in danger, homeless or on the streets.”
Dr. King’s words ring true today. “The time is always ripe to do right.” The time is now. It is time for our legislators, community members, staff and volunteers to do the right thing and speak up for those whose voices often go unheard. We encourage everyone to join in these efforts by contacting Del. Terry Austin, Del. Ellen Campbell and state Sen. Creigh Deeds who serve, respectively, on the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees, and ask them to support the creation of the Put Victims First Fund.
Anyone who has questions about Project Horizon’s services or programs can contact staff at [email protected] or by calling (540) 463-2594. Project Horizon is available 24 hours a day to provide life-sustaining services to victims. By Putting Victims First, we can ensure that those services continue.
