NEWBURGH – As part of The Mary Kay Foundation’s annual shelter grants program, local women’s shelter Safe Homes of Orange County has received a $20,000 unrestricted grant to further the organization’s efforts to combat domestic violence and provide culturally-appropriate, comprehensive services throughout Orange County. The grant awarded to Safe Homes of Orange County is part of $3 million in funding that the Foundation has awarded this year to 150 domestic violence shelters in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.
Safe Homes of Orange County will use the grant funding to provide critical support for its emergency shelter program for victims of domestic violence in accessing safety and culturally-appropriate advocacy services. Other recipients 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 Safe Homes of Orange County, we are incredibly grateful for support from The Mary Kay Foundation and its continued commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,” said Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier, Executive Director.
“The fact that shelters across the country can use these unrestricted funds to best fit their immediate needs has often made the difference between keeping the doors open or closed, maintaining a critical service or providing a life-saving safe place for a family in need,” said Anne Crews, board member for The Mary Kay Foundation and Vice President of Public Affairs for Mary Kay Inc. “As the Foundation celebrates 20 years of making a difference in the lives of women and children, we are proud to continue our signature domestic violence program in communities nationwide. We know hundreds of thousands of lives have been impacted, not only today but for generations to come.”
Nearly 600 domestic violence shelters applied for The Mary Kay Foundation shelter grants this year. Mary Kay Inc.’s global cause-related program, Beauty That Counts, helps support The Mary Kay Foundation’s annual shelter grant program. Mary Kay has a deep commitment to ending abuse and alongside The Mary Kay Foundation has given $53 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs.
Please visit marykayfoundation.org for additional information and for the full list of 2016 Shelter Grant Recipients.