WAVI gets funding from Rapid City - KOTA Territory News

Working Against Violence Incorporated, or WAVI for short, has been serving victims of violence since 1978.  On Wednesday an agreement was made with the city to help fund the WAVI program.

Until now funding for Working Against Violence Incorporated came from the Rapid City Police Department, but now some of WAVI's funding will come directly from the city.  This year WAVI will receive $25,000 from the city, and $30,000 next year.

The organization provides assistance to domestic violence and sexual assault victims; a service that Development Director Mallory Heutzenroeder says is vital. "What WAVI provides is absolutely vital to the citizens in our community and it kind of gives us a little bit more of a guarantee of where our funding is coming from, from year to year and it's always nice to hear that they understand that it's more important than just knowing that we exist and hoping that we get funding every year," said Heutzenroeder.

She also says next year WAVI will be losing around $45,000 in funding from federal grants and agencies, making support from the city and donors even more important.