In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to assist shelters still reeling from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Mary Kay FoundationSM announced that it is awarding $1.1 million in grants to more than 50 domestic violence shelters across the country. Hope’s Door New Beginning Center has received a $25,000 unrestricted grant to support local survivors of domestic violence in Collin and Dallas counties. This year’s grant contribution brings the Foundation’s total investment in its shelter grant program to $53 million.
The Mary Kay Foundation was established in 1996 with the overarching purpose of supporting issues impacting women. In 2000, The Foundation expanded to include gender-based violence as part of its mission. The Foundation is committed to funding the life-saving work of women’s shelters, and the annual shelter grant program has helped finance critical needs including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and legal aid. All of these resources support women and children as they seek refuge and relief on their journey to an abuse-free life. This year, more than 800 organizations applied for the Mary Kay Foundation shelter grants.
This year’s grants are particularly important. The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated women’s vulnerabilities and gender inequality, resulting in a ‘shadow pandemic.’ Shelters across the country—and the world—have seen an alarming uptick in gender-based violence cases.
“At Mary Kay, we believe in helping women improve their circumstances and live their best lives,” said President of The Mary Kay Foundation Board of Directors Michael Lunceford. “One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and it is our responsibility to support the women’s shelters that aid these survivors. At the heart of The Foundation’s work is the shelter grant program which is actively supported by our Independent Beauty Consultants.
We’re proud that our commitment makes such a powerful impact in local communities and in the lives of domestic violence survivors across the country.”
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, more than 72,000 adult and child victims receive domestic violence services across the United States in just one day. Unfortunately, in the same period of time, more than 11,000 requests for services are unmet due to a lack of resources.
This year, more than 399,000 women and their families will receive domestic violence support services through the more than 50 agencies awarded grants by The Mary Kay Foundation.
Hope’s Door New Beginning Center (HDNBC) operates a 24/7 hotline answered in English and Spanish, two shelters for women and children with stays for up to 90 days, counseling in both group settings and for individuals, case management, transitional housing and legal assistance all at no cost to our clients. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges to our operations. The many financial constraints that have arisen as a result of this pandemic have caused us to closely examine HDNBC’s budget and operational capacity.
We have seen an impact on our revenue for events, fundraising, our resale store and our offender program. This donation will directly support operational costs that are impacted by the result COVID has had on our revenue streams. HDNBC operations include a staff of 70, a 24/7 hotline answering 5,000 calls in English and Spanish yearly, a counseling program impacting over 900 adults and children, two shelters housing 579 people yearly, and legal assistance and support for more than 480 individuals.
“We have seen clients with more advocacy and case management needs than ever before. This donation allows our staff, many working remotely, to continue the life-saving services HDNBC provides 24/7,” said Christina Coultas, CEO.
Applications for the 2021 shelter grant program will be available in January 2021. Please visit marykayfoundation.org for more information, and to view the complete list of 2020 shelter grant recipients.
About Mary Kay Foundation℠: Guided by Mary Kay Ash’s dream to enrich the lives of women everywhere, The Mary Kay FoundationSM raises and distributes funds to invest in breakthrough cancer research to find a cure for women-related cancers, and ending domestic violence against women. Since 1996, The Mary Kay FoundationSM has contributed more than $78 million to organizations aligned with its twofold mission. In addition, the Foundation supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe.
Together, we can make the world better for women. To learn more about how to educate, advocate, volunteer and donate, and join life-saving work to support and empower women, visit marykayfoundation.org, find us on Facebook and Instagram, or Twitter.
About Hope’s Door New Beginning Center: A comprehensive intervention and prevention agency for victims of intimate partner and family violence serving North Texas. The agency’s mission is to offer intervention and prevention services to individuals and families affected by intimate partner and family violence and to provide educational programs that enhance the community’s capacity to respond. For more information, visit www.hdnbc.org, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Hope’s Door New Beginning Center Administration, 860 F Avenue, Suite 100, Plano, TX 75074. 972.422.2911. 24-Hour hotline: 972.276.0057. https://www.hdnbc.org