A Chicago-area social-services agency has earned more than half a million dollars for its work helping domestic-violence survivors, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Guardian Angel Community Services primarily serves women and children in eight counties near Chicago, including all of Will and Grundy and parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall and LaSalle. The Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women yesterday announced that it awarded the Joliet organization $512,334 to provide 20 beds, three bathrooms, a kitchen and common living area in its facility.

According to its annual report, Guardian Angel spent $3 million last year on various domestic-violence, sexual-assault and foster-care programs. The agency dates back to 1897, when the Congregation of the Third Order of Saint Francis of Mary Immaculate in Joliet started it as an orphanage. It serves more than 4,000 children and adults, according to its Web site.

The money came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's $43 million Transitional Housing Assistance Program. The goal of the program is to support domestic-violence victims as they move into permanent housing, meanwhile creating jobs for victim advocates and other workers who help renovate and provide additional housing for victims and train them for future employment.

“The most vulnerable in our society too often bear the greatest burden in times of economic hardship,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. “Providing viable temporary-housing options and services that promote self-sufficiency are critical and proven steps toward violence-free lives.”

The Office of Violence Against Women, created in 1995, administers financial and technical assistance to communities developing programs aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.