Hannah’s Hope Ministries Receives $20,000 Grant to Combat Domestic Violence Against Women

from Hannah’s Hope Ministries

Photo courtesy of micheile henderson on Unsplash

In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation recently announced that it is awarding $1 million in grants to 50 domestic violence shelters across the country. Hannah’s Hope Ministries has received a $20,000 unrestricted grant to support local survivors of domestic violence in Reading. This year’s grant contribution brings the Foundation’s total investment in its shelter grant program to over $57 million.

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation was established in 1996 with the overarching purpose of supporting issues impacting women. In 2000, the Foundation expanded to include ending domestic 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 these resources support women and children as they seek refuge and relief on their journey to an abuse-free life. This year, more than 300 organizations applied for the Mary Kay Ash Foundation shelter grants.

“The Mary Kay Ash Foundation is honored to support domestic violence shelters and their staff on the frontlines to ensure women across the country have access to critical, life-saving resources,” said Michael Lunceford, President, Mary Kay Ash Foundation Board of Directors. “By providing unrestricted grants, they can address their communities’ most pressing needs, which range from physical shelter and trauma counseling to legal aid and on-site pet kennels. When a woman makes the difficult decision to leave, these organizations help ensure she has access to everything she needs to never look back.”

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, more than 11,000 requests for services are unmet due to a lack of resources.

Hannah’s Hope Ministries exists to assist women and children who are homeless to move from their current, often unsafe situation to our program that provides safety and security. While at Hannah’s Hope, our families receive the guidance, resources, and needed tools to eventually move into independent living. Our goal is to end abuse and the homelessness that ensued, one family at a time, for good! PA ranks 27th among 50 states in D.V. crimes. 119 victims died in D.V. incidents in PA in 2023. Our community in Berks County reflects our state’s data. The city of Reading and Berks County are underserved with the number of shelters able to support the numbers of women requiring safe housing.

“We are blessed and honored to receive this grant from the Mary Kay Foundation for 2024, 2025. Being the only agency to receive this grant in our state is a truly humbling experience. More families will be served by this wonderful gift from the Mary Kay Foundation,” said Karen Marsdale, Co-Director, Hannah’s Hope Ministries.

Applications for the 2025 shelter grant program will be available in January 2025. Please visit marykayashfoundation.org/ for more information and to view the complete list of 2024 shelter program recipients.

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Source: bctv