NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Allstate Foundation, a leading advocate for victims of domestic violence and financial abuse, announced today $1.2 million in grants awarded to 20 domestic violence programs around the country. The grants aim to help
expand financial empowerment services for approximately 30,000 survivors.
It's an especially important time for domestic violence organizations. Demand for their programs is increasing, yet a lack of
funding continues to force them to operate with limited resources. On an average day in 2015, more than 12,000 requests for
services by domestic violence victims went unanswered. The Purple Purse Moving Ahead Grants, which will be distributed by the 20
awardees to dozens of local domestic violence programs in their states, aim to provide much-needed financial assistance to the
nonprofits and those they serve.
Financial abuse occurs in 99 percent of domestic violence cases. Tactics abusers use include denying victims access to money,
ruining victims' credit by stealing their identity or harassing victims at work so they lose their jobs. Without resources of
their own, victims are often unable to care for themselves and their families, find employment and housing or save for the
future.
"People seem to talk about domestic violence only when it involves famous people, but every day there are millions of women
and children suffering at home, in silence," said Vicky Dinges, Allstate's senior vice president
of corporate responsibility. "The stats speak for themselves. One in four women will be affected by domestic violence in her
lifetime. It's a huge issue and, sadly, there just aren't enough resources or programs today to help victims break free – and
stay free – from abusive situations. Financial support like these Allstate Foundation Purple Purse grants will help, but more
importantly, we need to stop the violence from happening in the first place. Our society needs to change. Domestic violence
in any form – financial, physical or verbal -- is not OK."
The Allstate Foundation awarded the Purple Purse Moving Ahead Grants to 20 domestic violence organizations – 19 National
Network to End Domestic Violence (NNDEV) state coalitions and the YWCA of Massachusetts – that
have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to ending financial abuse. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is the longest-running
national campaign focused on ending domestic violence through a proven solution: financial empowerment services for
survivors.
Each grantee will work with local domestic violence organizations to provide education and support for domestic violence
survivors in the areas of financial education, job training, matched-savings programs, no- or low-interest loans and other
credit-building services. The Moving Ahead Through Financial Management curriculum, a comprehensive financial literacy
tool designed specifically for survivors, is the main financial education resource used to deliver the information.
Grant amounts – up to $70,000 per organization – were based on factors such as program
longevity, breadth of financial empowerment services and demonstrated ability to have a sustainable regional or statewide impact.
Due to the past success of the program and a growing need to provide financial empowerment services to more survivors, The
Allstate Foundation awarded grants to five new organizations this year.
The 2016 Purple Purse Moving Ahead Grant Program recipients are:
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$70,000
|
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
|
$70,000
|
Ohio Domestic Violence Network
|
$70,000
|
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$65,000
|
Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$65,000
|
Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition
|
$65,000
|
Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$65,000
|
Texas Council on Family Violence
|
$65,000
|
Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
|
$65,000
|
Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$65,000
|
Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
|
$65,000
|
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$55,000
|
Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Incorporated
|
$50,000
|
Minnesota Coalition For Battered Women Inc
|
$50,000
|
The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$50,000
|
Oklahoma Coalition On Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault
|
$50,000
|
YWCA Massachusetts
|
$50,000
|
Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$45,000
|
Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence
|
$45,000
|
New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence
|
$45,000
|
Since 2005, The Allstate Foundation has donated more than $55 million to help break the cycle of
violence, and helped more than 1 million survivors take steps toward recovering their financial independence.
About The Allstate Foundation:
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The
Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation
brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people's
well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and
celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring
out the good in people's lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.
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SOURCE The Allstate Foundation