Throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Mary Kay FoundationSM is awarding $20,000 grants to 150 domestic violence shelters across the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam for a total of $3 million. Local shelter Albion Fellows Bacon Center was chosen to receive one of the annual grants to further the organization’s efforts to combat domestic violence and provide services throughout southern Indiana. This year’s highly sought-after grant slate brings the total investment in The Foundation’s annual shelter grant program to nearly $42 million.
Albion will use the grant funding to continue our mission and to support the essential services the organization provides. Much like other recipients that use the unrestricted funds for basic operating expenses, hiring much-needed personnel, completing repairs and renovations or adding programs and resources based on the unique needs of their shelter and the clients they serve.
“At Albion we are incredibly grateful for support from The Mary Kay FoundationSM and its continued commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,†said Executive Director, Kristie Byrns. “Offering emergency housing for the clients we serve, that also means providing meals, laundry facilities, advocacy, and an untold number of other resources to help survivors get back on their feet after experiencing unspeakable abuse,†said Penny Grubb, Residential Program Director.
While serving as an emergency shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence, Albion also provides services to those impacted by these types of violence that do not need shelter in our nonresidential program. In addition, our organization provides prevention education and training to end the cycle of violence. All services are free and confidential and are provided 24 hours a day. During 2016, our Shelter Program provided 9,304 nights of safe shelter, our Nonresidential Program assisted 2,845 victims, and our Community and Prevention Education reached 12,107 adults and children.
“More than 700 domestic violence shelters nationwide applied for The Mary Kay FoundationSM shelter grants this year, which demonstrates the overwhelming need to maintain critical services and provide a safe haven for the survivors of an epidemic that impacts one in every four women,†said Anne Crews, board member of The Mary Kay FoundationSM and Vice President of Public Affairs for Mary Kay Inc. “Working to prevent and end domestic violence is a cornerstone of The Foundation, Mary Kay Inc. and for countless members of our independent sales force. Since 2000, The Foundation has invested tens of millions of dollars in our shelter grant program and without a doubt, we know these funds make a difference in homes and communities across the country.â€
About The Mary Kay FoundationSM
The Mary Kay FoundationSM was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women
and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. The Mary Kay FoundationSM has awarded $70.7 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay FoundationSM, please visit www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).
