The federal government is giving millions to Florida to help victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy.

  • US government gives $8.5M to Florida for Pulse victims, first responders
  • Money also to reimburse for setting up Family Assistance Center
  • Pulse survivor: Counseling helped me function

The Justice Department offered $8,466,970, providing grief counseling for victims, witnesses and first responders of the Pulse nightclub shooting.

The money will also reimburse the costs of setting up a Family Assistance Center in the aftermath.

“It’s something so needed to ensure that the services are being given," said Ricardo Negron, after learning Monday about the new source of funding for victims.

Negron, a victim himself, sought counseling a month after the attack.

“It was the difference between basically being able to function. I was holding it in, saying, ‘Oh, you can get through this by yourself,'" he explained. "And it got to a point where anything would trigger a reaction, a flashback. The counseling has helped a lot."

He received around $25,000 initially, allowing him to escape to his homeland of Puerto Rico when he needed a mental break.

“I was fortunate enough to make it out physically unharmed," he said. "I've been able to go home or just go away some days, to look for clarity."

In the days after the shooting, The Center on Mills Avenue — already a haven for the LGBT community — became a hub for victim services and a gathering point for volunteers.

“To know that this money is here and these people don’t have to worry about it, it warms my heart," said Terry DeCarlo, its executive director.


Richardo Negron is a survivor of the Pulse nightclub attack. He sought counseling in the aftermath, which he says has helped him function. (News 13)

DeCarlo said he's been hoping more money would make its way down the pipeline to aid victims in their healing.

“Especially the survivors, who couldn’t work, who are still going through surgery to this day, it helped them," he said of the first round of funds. "It's a very important thing, and I'm glad that more are coming out. Some of these people are still going through surgery, reeling from that night."

After the funds from the Justice Department are distributed to Florida, it will be up to the state to redistribute them to victims, according to Sen. Bill Nelson's office.

“The important thing is to let them know that the help is out there, whenever they’re ready to make that step," said Negron, who now serves as director at another victim assistance organization, Proyecto Somos Orlando.

“Florida is not that great in terms of funding for mental health, and it needs to be. Not only because this happened, but to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again," he said.