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Every October, The Mary Kay Foundation observes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by awarding grants to deserving women’s shelters. In 2008, the Foundation awarded $20,000 grants to more than 150 women’s shelters across the United States for a total of $3 million.
Here’s a sampling of how shelters all over America put this grant money to work.
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Supports of Abuse Free Environments (SAFE)
Location: Hamilton, MT
Like many non-profits, this rural Montana shelter experienced a shortfall in funding. After 10 years of housing more than 850 women and children, the four-bedroom, two-bath facility was in desperate need of an update. Thanks to the Mary Kay Foundation grant, the shelter bought new mattresses, box springs, bed frames, reading lamps, dressers and new curtains for the rooms. With these improvements, the shelter can continue to be a home-like atmosphere that’s clean, comforting and welcoming for victims. Some of the grant money also went to restoring advocacy services, which had been cut due to budget constraints.
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The Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter
Location: Alliance, Ohio
In a recent article in The Review, Alliance’s local newspaper, shelter executive director Kimberly Stanley expressed her appreciation for The Mary Kay Foundation grant. “This grant is such a blessing to the Alliance Area Domestic Violence shelter in a variety of ways. Not only does it make up for a deficit in funding this year, but it gives us hope and strength to continue what we do.” From October 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, the shelter housed 17 women and 27 children, served 31 outreach clients and answered 631 hotline calls. Funds were used to pay operating expenses, which assured phone coverage 24/7 to victimized families in their area.
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