Victim Service Center increasing services to help survivors in underserved communities

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Last year during the pandemic, the Victim Service Center provided crisis intervention and counseling to more than 5,200 clients.

More than half of those received therapy sessions, 16.5% of the people were Black, and 25% were Hispanic.

“We understood as an organization that we were actually undeserving certain populations based upon our data,” said Lui Damiani with the VSC.

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Now, the VSC is planning to increase services for survivors in underserved communities within their own communities throughout Orlando’s west side.

In partnership with Shepherd’s Hope and the West Orange Healthcare District, the center has opened a satellite office in Winter Garden to serve clients hindered by accessibility or economics or by family and community secrecy regarding reporting and counseling services.

Services are available for everyone, but the goal of VSC is to expand services and outreach into areas like Parramore, Pine Hills and Washington Shores.

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