Mary Kay, through its philanthropic initiative The Mary Kay Foundation, has awarded $25,000 grants to four North Texas domestic violence shelters, including Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, Denton County Friends of the Family and The Family Place.
These grants totaling $100,000 will support frontline workers who respond to the needs of women and children seeking shelter from domestic violence, a devastating situation that has increased during the pandemic.
“A pandemic within a pandemic–that is the only way to describe the devastating and staggering increase in domestic violence this past year,” said Toni Johnson-Simpson, Executive Director for Denton County Friends of the Family. “Referrals to our shelter increased by 60% in 2020 and our legal services saw an increase of 109%. It is difficult to put into words the truly desperate and heartbreaking crisis our clients are in when they walk through our doors. For so many, they have sacrificed everything to make it here and may have literally put their lives on the line to get help for themselves and their children.”
Since 2000, The Mary Kay Foundation has awarded more than $58 million in grants to 3,300 organizations who advocate for the eradication of gender-based domestic violence. The Mary Kay Foundation has also joined forces with the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and CARE USA to raise awareness of the increase of violence against women during the pandemic, and the resulting consequences that will have long-lasting impacts.
“Now more than ever, the domestic violence shelters in our community need our support during this unprecedented and challenging time in history,” said Anne Crews, Vice President of Public Affairs at Mary Kay Inc. and a Board Member of The Mary Kay Foundation. “It is imperative to support the first responders who are working tirelessly to help survivors and families during this ongoing pandemic.”
