Page 24 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2020

COAST NOTE
HSSM Public Assistance Programs
When you care, we’re there
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
Due to COVID-19, many families have fallen on hard times and found themselves unable to provide their animals with the resources they need. Rather than having to surrender their pets, separating them from their families, the Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM) is o ering public assistance programs.
“We realize that people love their pets and want to provide them with the very best
care possible,” says Katie King, HSSM development director. “It gives us great joy to be able to give back to those that need it the most and keep pets living a happy and healthy
life in their homes!”
Assistance includes pet food; pet retention
(pet deposits, fencing, leashes, kennels, bowls, etc.); spay/neuter and pet wellness (exams, vaccinations, preventatives, heartworm treatment, microchips, etc.).
HSSM is providing these services while unable to hold their usual fundraising events, but will be hosting several virtual fundraisers in the fall. Keep up with HSSM’s fundraising e orts by visiting their
Facebook page and
visiting their website!
2615 25th Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501 228.863.3354
www.hssm.org • Facebook @MYHSSM
Kissy Gypsy
Currently available for adoption at HSSM.
Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence Receives Grant from Department of Justice
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
Early last month, U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst announced that the state of Mississippi had received nearly $380,000 from the Department of Justice’s O ce of Justice Programs to provide safe, stable housing and services to victims of human tra cking.
The grant, awarded to the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, will provide 6 to 24 months of transitional or short-term housing assistance for tra cking victims, including rental, utilities or
related expenses, such as security deposits and relocation costs.
The grant will also provide funding for support needed to help victims locate permanent housing, secure employment, as well as occupational training and counseling.
“We have made ghting human tra cking a priority in this o ce, and this grant to one of our nonpro t partners on the Mississippi Human Tra cking Council will go a long way in providing necessary, life-saving services to human tra cking victims,” said Hurst. “We will continue to do all that we can to protect victims, prevent tra cking, and prosecute criminals.”
The Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence is among 73 organizations receiving more than $35 million in grants to support housing services for human tra cking survivors.
24 | September 2020
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence 228.436.3809 www.gccfn.org