The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has granted nearly half a million dollars to a Lewiston-based nonprofit in order to fund support services for refugees, immigrants and asylum-seeking migrants who are victims of domestic or sexual violence.

According to a no-bid contract document published by the Mills administration Tuesday, the Maine DHHS will be granting about $462,000 to the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine — formerly known as United Somali Women of Maine — for the specialized victim resources.

“The purpose of this agreement is to provide victims who are a part of immigrant, refugee and/or asylum seeker communities, culturally and linguistically sensitive services that promote a safe, healthy and equitable future,” the state contract document reads.

“The provider [Immigrant Resource Center of Maine] shall promote empowerment and a culturally responsive environment for victims who are refugees, immigrants, and/or asylum seekers by serving as cultural brokers and assisting victims by reducing barriers and enhancing skills,” it states.

The funding for the grant comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a COVID-19 stimulus package signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2021.

The Immigrant Resource Center of Maine has several gender-based violence programs, including support and prevention services related to human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence and female genital mutilation.

The nonprofit was founded as the United Somali Women of Maine in 2002 by Fatuma Hussein, who herself came to the U.S. as a refugee, and was renamed to the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine in 2016, according to the organization’s website.

“Fatuma Hussein, founder and Executive Director of IRCM, was always passionate about helping her community well before coming to Maine. When She arrived in Maine, she saw how much the Somali Community needed support,” the organization wrote.

“Based on her experience, she was inspired to set a foundation of culturally specific system advocacy, training, community education and culturally/linguistically appropriate direct services,” they wrote.

Hussein also holds governor-appointed seats on the Maine Permanent Commission on the Status of Women and the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse.