FLORENCE — Rachel Cabaniss said without grant money and donations, Safeplace would struggle to provide services to those affected by domestic violence.

“We rely on the grants, we have to,” said Cabaniss, executive director of Safeplace.

Safeplace has received funding from three grants for more than $230,000. Safeplace is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter for adults and children in a six-county region in northwest Alabama.

“The free professional assistance available from Safeplace helps victims take the first steps to overcome abusive situations,” Gov. Robert Bentley said in a prepared statement. “I am pleased to support the vital services that this organization provides for victims in need.”

In addition to emergency shelter, Safeplace conducts support groups and offers counseling for victims and their children.

Cabaniss said Safeplace also offers training for professionals in law enforcement, health care and social services to help them better address the problems of domestic violence and the needs of victims.

“And that’s what the grant money will be used for,” Cabaniss said. “We’ll use this money to pay for all of our outside services.”

Safeplace officials said the center provides a special liaison to the Hispanic community and prints its brochures and other information in Spanish and English.

“We’re very appreciative of the money, and it will allow us to continue to reach out to the public and help educate people about domestic violence,” Cabaniss said. “Also, it will provide the resources we need to continue to help those victims of domestic violence who come into our shelter.”

The grant is through the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.