In advance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, MSU Safe Place, the relationship violence and stalking program on the campus of Michigan State University, has received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation.
The funds will be used to purchase a vehicle that will provide essential transportation services for survivors of violence and their minor children for years to come.
“At MSU Safe Place, we are incredibly grateful for support from The Mary Kay Foundation and its commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,” said MSU Safe Place Director Holly Rosen. “This funding will allow us to continue to provide critical services to those affected by violence in our community.”
The mission of MSU Safe Place is to provide advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, safety planning, information and referrals for survivors of domestic violence and stalking while seeking to raise awareness through community education and outreach efforts. All services are free and confidential.
“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. “We know from our work with shelter directors across the nation that the foundation’s annual grants are a lifeline for many shelters and continue 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. Approximately 625 domestic violence shelters applied for funding this year.