Women’s Resource Center receives $20,000 grant from Mary Kay Foundation
The Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley, which operates the local shelter for victims of domestic violence, has received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation. In observation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Mary Kay Foundation awards $20,000 grants to more than 150 domestic violence shelters across the country for a total of $3 million.
The Women’s Resource Center will use the grant to provide critical support for its emergency shelter facility. Last year, the shelter housed 136 adult and 107 child victims of domestic violence from the New River Valley. In total, the organization provided 6,003 nights of shelter at the facility.
“This award from the Mary Kay Foundation has come at exactly the right time,” reports Women’s Resource Center Executive Director Pat Brown. “Every year, the costs of operating the large shelter facility — utilities, maintenance, and repairs — go up. As the facility ages, upkeep and modernization have had to take place. This grant is one of only a few opportunities for discretionary funds for us to use as needed when things break down or need replacing.”
Founded in 1977, the Women’s Resource Center has witnessed tremendous growth in programmatic scope. In addition to the emergency shelter, the Women’s Resource Center provides a transitional housing facility, 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency advocacy, counseling and support, legal advocacy, the school-based Peaceline Program, and other education/prevention services.
“The Mary Kay Foundation is committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence,” said Anne Crews, Mary Kay Inc. vice president of government relations and board member for The Mary Kay Foundation. “Through our grants, we honor and support shelters across the country that are having a profound impact for women and children in their communities. Since 2000, we have granted $31 million to help domestic violence shelters meet their critical needs and support their ongoing community efforts.”
– Submitted by Pat Brown, Executive Director, Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley
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