Gardner City announced at the Gardner Police Station that it has been awarded $20,000 from the William Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) to fund a full-time domestic violence advocate position at the Gardner Police Department.

The mayor said the funding converts an advocate post that has operated part time since 2023 into a full-time role, expanding the department’s capacity to respond to domestic violence needs in the community. “I’m proud to be the mayor of a city that's not afraid to have those tough conversations,” the mayor said, adding the position will help residents “have the access to the resource that they need to feel safe, comfortable, and happy to call Gardner their home.”

State Representative John Zlotnick said the award reflects sustained effort by local officials and partners. “This is a really crucial thing that we do and why the state funds this,” Zlotnick said, praising the city and police department for persisting through earlier unsuccessful attempts to secure full funding.

Gardner Police Chief McAvine said the department previously lost an advocate position to budget cuts and brought a part-time advocate on under a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant. “We were actually overwhelmed at the need,” McAvine said, noting the work has grown “by leaps and bounds.” He said the new Byrne JAG funds will allow the advocate to work full time and broaden services to the community and neighboring jurisdictions that have sought assistance.

City and community partners credited the Gardner domestic violence task force and the nonprofit Voices of Truth for raising the issue and providing ongoing feedback. The mayor identified Bernice Richard as the task force’s former chair and Elizabeth Rhodes as the current chair and thanked Councilor Heath and state partners for support in obtaining funding.

The announcement described the $20,000 Byrne JAG award as the next step after the part-time position established with a VAWA grant in 2023; speakers did not provide a formal city council vote or an implementation timetable during the event. City officials said the full-time advocate will be housed in the Gardner Police Department and available to anyone in the community who needs the service.

Officials at the event emphasized partnership across city staff, the police department, state representatives and community organizations in securing the funds and expanding the program. The mayor said he looks forward to “seeing the ways that this project bears fruit for us in the community and helps build a safer community each and every day for all of our residents here.”