Twenty nonprofits in Cameron County received a total of $100,000 from the Cameron Count District Attorney’s Office.

The money was awarded through the county’s pre-trial diversion program, which provides a “second chance” to low level offenders, according to a news release from the district attorney’s office.

Under the program, the offenders are given the chance to do community service or pay for the necessary hours to avoid criminal convictions. 

Among the organizations who received the money were the Palmer Drug Abuse Program and Friendship of Women Inc., according to district attorney Luis Saenz.

“I'm very happy to collaborate with them and to give them these resources that they need so badly,” Saenz said during a Tuesday ceremony.