April 2006 |
|
Crime victims aid lauded at luncheon The program helps crime victims and their families on Buffalo's East Side with counseling, informational workshops, social services when needed, interpretation and translation for those who speak a foreign language, and assistance at police stations and during court proceedings. Those helped by the program include Alethia Williams. In 2004, Williams and her young son were victims of a burglary in their East Side apartment. The culprit, a downstairs neighbor, also threatened to kill Williams. "He said he had a gun," Williams said. "The cops heard him threatening me." The man spent a year in jail for his actions, and Williams and her son have since moved into a new home. Tuesday, she thanked the victims advocate group for the help after the experience. Also during the luncheon, volunteers were praised for service. "This is a public acknowledgment of the wonderful job they do," Mitchell said. "They provide help and support because a lot of times victims feel overwhelmed by the circumstances." "The legal system can be frightening to someone looking at it from the outside," said District Attorney Frank J. Clark, who addressed the the luncheon. "They are the connection victims have with the system." People Inc., a non-profit human service agency, provides programs and assistance to more than 10,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. e-mail: |
|
