The Heart of Texas Human Trafficking Coalition (HOTHTC) has been awarded a $1.5 million dollar grant to help them in their fight against human trafficking.
The United States Department of Justice collaborated with other federal agencies to make the grant available. The money will be split between law enforcement and groups dedicated to helping those who are being trafficked.
About $600,000 dollars will be given to the McLennan County Sheriff's Office over the next three years to help them combat human trafficking. $900,000 will be distributed among several victim service organizations in the county to help them help victims.
Both Sheriff Parnell McNamara and the executive director of UnBound Susan Peters said they already have plans for what the funds will be used for.
"We're gonna keep the heat turned up on these criminals," McNamara said. "Some of it will be used for more equipment that we'll be using to fight human trafficking."
"We are getting $60,000 a year, over the next three years," Peters said.
The executive director said the money will partly be used to hire an intensive case manager.
"We think it's going to make a great impact in our community and we're going to be able to help a lot more people," said Peters.
Other organizations that will receive money from the grant include:
- Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children
- McLennan County Criminal District Attorney
- United States Attorney's Office
- Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Refugee Services of Texas
- The Family Abuse Center
- Mission Waco
- Family Health Center
- Klaras Center for Families
- Heart of Texas Region Mental Health Mental Retardation Center
- Cenikor
- Lone Star Legal Aid
- The Law Office of Callahan & King
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