BY Caitlin Morris

cmorris@saratogian.com

Two Saratoga County organizations — Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services and CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services — have been awarded funds from the Solutions to End Homelessness Program through the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

More than $15.7 million was granted to 67 organizations to aid people in crisis and to prevent homelessness, and 15 of those are in the Capital Region.

Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County received $63,144 in funding from the STEHP grant. Executive Director Maggie Fronk said the organization will use the money to continue its mission of providing women and families with the tools they need to leave abusive living environments. This includes providing food, housing and medical care.

Fronk said the DVRC does not only provide victims with financial resources, but guides them toward maintaining a sustainable, abuse-free future by improving their financial management skills and employment capabilities.

CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services was awarded $373,554 in funding from the STEHP grant. CAPTAIN stands for Community Action for Parents, Teens and Interested Neighbors, and its services are aimed at tackling youth homelessness, poverty, youth violence, underage drinking and drug use, academic failure and family dysfunction.

The organization is using the grant money to support its youth shelter in Malta and the Wait House in Glens Falls, which provides stability to homeless youths.

In addition to these programs, CAPTAIN provides an elementary and adolescent help line for youth and runs a program called Bike Works, which provides children with bicycles who would not otherwise own one and teaches them the basics of bicycle safety and maintenance.

For more information on Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County, go to www.dvrcsaratoga.org or call their office at 583-0280.