MILWAUKEE— A Milwaukee non-profit that helps women in the criminal justice system will now have more funding to grow their programs.

The Benedict Center was awarded $10,000 Friday through Spectrum’s Employee Community Grant. The center provides substance abuse and mental health treatment programs for women in the program. In addition to helping fund those programs, the Benedict Center’s director Jeanne Geraci said it will also help to fund everyday essentials for the women they serve.

“We have a special fund, a basic needs fund, and especially during COVID the need continues to provide additional items of support for women,” said Geraci. “That might come in the form of a food box or what we call a 'Safer at Home Kit' which has cleaning supplies and hygiene items.”

State Senator La Tonya Johnson was on hand for the check presentation Friday and got a tour of the Benedict Center.

Spectrum Employee Community Grants have provided funding to more than 250 local non-profits throughout the country since 2019. Spectrum is the parent company of Spectrum News 1. ​