The Mary Kay Foundation Awards Transitions of PA $20,000 Grant for Domestic Violence Programs

Transitionsof PA, a local comprehensive crime victims’ service center, serving Union, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation℠. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the Foundation has awarded $20,000 in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for a total of $3 million. 

           

Transitions of PA will use the grant funding to provide critical support for its economic empowerment and financial management programs for survivors of domestic violence. “At Transitions of PA, we are incredibly grateful for support from The Mary Kay Foundation℠ and its commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,” said Transitions Chief Executive Officer, Susan K. Mathias. “The most common reason victims stay in or return to abusive relationships is that they don’t have the financial resources to break free.  This funding will allow us to provide survivors of domestic violence with financial management skills and job and school readiness programs that will empower them to live free from an abusive relationship.”

Transitions of PA is a comprehensive crime victims services center for Union, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties.  This nonprofit organization provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, domestic violence safe houses, individual and support group counseling, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, and prevention education programs.

“Mary Kay has a long-standing commitment to prevent and end domestic violence,” said Anne Crews, board member for The Mary Kay Foundation℠ and Vice President of Public Affairs for Mary Kay Inc. “While progress has been made in the United States in meeting the needs of the thousands of domestic violence survivors who seek help each and every day, there remains a significant gap between funding and resources. We know from our work with shelter directors across the nation that the Foundation’s annual grants are a lifeline for many shelters and continues to impact an epidemic that touches one in every four women.” 

Since 2000, The Mary Kay Foundation℠ has donated $35.6 million to domestic violence organizations through its annual shelter grant program. Each year, grants are awarded to at least one domestic violence shelter in every state with the remaining grants distributed based on state population. U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands have also received funding through the Shelter Grant program. Approximately 625 domestic violence shelters applied for funding this year.

About The Mary Kay Foundation℠

The Mary Kay Foundation℠ 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 Foundation℠ has awarded $64.2 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 Foundation℠, please visit www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).