Three local agencies that help victims of crime and abuse have had to significantly cut their budgets and lay off employees as a result of federal and state funding cuts.

Jeanne Destro talked to the leaders of those organizations this week, about dealing with those challenges during a pandemic that has actually increased the need for their services.

First, a conversation with Terri Heckman, who is the CEO of the Battered Women's Shelter, and the Rape Crisis Center of Summit and Medina Counties, who tells us they recently had to eliminate 19 positions from the two agencies, which are part of the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center.

We also talked to Leanne Graham, who is the President & CEO of Summit County's Victim Assitance Program, who says they recently had to lay off three employees.