LOCAL EMERGENCY SHELTER RECEIVES $20,000 GRANT DURING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
Pictured left to right; Kate Vonk – Independent Beauty Consultant – Mary Kay, Barb DeBruin – Independent Mary Katy Sales Director, Steph Vos – Independent Mary Kay Sales Director, Sue Miller- Senior Sales Director for Mary Kay, Sexual Assault Advocate – Crisis Intervention Services (submitted photo)
The Mary Kay Foundation℠ Awarded Crisis Intervention Services Critical Unrestricted Funding as Part of New $3 Million Grant Slate
(Oskaloosa Oct 9, 2017) – Throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Mary Kay Foundation℠ 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 Crisis Intervention Services was chosen to receive one of the annual grants to further the organization’s efforts to combat domestic violence and provide rehabilitation services throughout south central Iowa. This year’s highly sought-after grant slate brings the total investment in The Foundation’s annual shelter grant program to nearly $42 million.
Crisis Intervention Services will use the grant funding to assist survivors and their families while they are staying in shelter. For example, CIS may provide clean clothing to children to wear to the first day of school or fill a survivor’s car with gas to attend job interviews. 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 Crisis Intervention Services, we are incredibly grateful for support from The Mary Kay Foundation℠ and its continued commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,” said Assistant Director Cassie Cumings-Peterson. “This year CIS and our sister agencies across the state suffered legislative funding cuts. As a result, we are all trying to provide the best possible services with limited resources. Receiving unrestricted funding from The Mary Kay Foundation means that we will be able to give more survivors the assistance they need to live violence-free lives.”
Crisis Intervention Services provides emergency shelter, sexual assault, violent crime, and violence prevention resources across a 12-county area. In 2016, we served 1,181 clients, over half of whom were residents of Mahaska and Marion counties.
“More than 700 domestic violence shelters nationwide applied for The Mary Kay Foundation℠ 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 Foundation℠ 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.”
Mary Kay Inc.’s global cause-related program, Beauty that Counts, helps support The Foundation’s annual shelter grant program. Applications for the 2018 shelter grant program will be available January 15 through April 30. Please visit marykayfoundation.org for additional information and for the full list of 2017 shelter grant recipients, click https://www.marykayfoundation.org/sheltergrantrecipientsbystate.
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 $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 Foundation℠, please visit www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).
About Crisis Intervention Services
Crisis Intervention Services provides support and empowerment to victims/survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and/or violent crime in Appanoose, Davis, Jasper, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello and Wayne counties in Iowa. Crisis Intervention Services hotlines are available 24 hours a day. Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-800-270-1620. Emergency Housing Hotline 1-844-673-5499.
