FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT (SHELTERHOUSE) RECEIVES $20,000 AS PART OF $3 MILLION NATIONWIDE GRANT FROM THE MARY KAY FOUNDATION TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN MIDLAND AND GLADWIN
...Mary Kay shelter grant program to help many of the 61,000 domestic violence survivors assisted each day in the United States...

MIDLAND - (October 10, 2011) – The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (Shelterhouse) has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program. Shelterhouse is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will be used to provide education, advocacy and housing services for domestic violence survivors and their children who seek emergency shelter.
“This grant is such a blessing to Shelterhouse in a variety of ways,” said Sharon Mortensen, Executive Director. “Not only does it make up for a deficit in funding this year but also gives us hope and strength to continue what we do. Domestic violence is not going away and deserves very serious attention. Programs to help battered women and their children require a lot of resources. That’s why we are so thankful The Mary Kay Foundation is helping us help families in Midland and Gladwin.”

Domestic Violence Outlook
According to the second “Mary Kay Truth About Abuse” national survey conducted in March 2011, domestic violence shelters indicate the economic downturn has increased demand for services. Shelters also report, the ability to raise funds and provide services will be hampered into 2012. Due to the economy, the survey also revealed:
 80 percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide (more than three out of four) report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse, and most attribute this to financial issues.
 76 percent of domestic violence shelters (three out of four) indicate their funding has decreased.
 65 percent of women in shelters can’t find employment due to the economy.
 56 percent of shelters note the abuse is more violent now than before the economic downturn.
“In light of the economic downturn and alarming increases in domestic violence, The Mary Kay Foundation’s mission is more critical than ever before. Shelterhouse has helped so many women and their families in the Midland and Gladwin area. We know they will use these funds to benefit even more domestic violence survivors and their children and help end domestic violence,” said Jennifer Cook, The Mary Kay Foundation board member.

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. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded $28 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $16 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).