The Mary Kay Foundation awarded $3
million in grants to 150 domestic violence
shelters across the U.S., including $20,000
to the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis
Services of Saratoga County (DVRC).
DVRC officials also reported that the The
Times Union Hope Fund of The Community
Foundation for the Greater Capital Region
issued it a $3,000 grant.
The funding will help the agency maintain
critical services and programs for
individuals who are survivors of domestic
abuse.
Each year, grants are awarded to at least one domestic violence shelter in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Remaining grants are distributed based on state population. New York state receives a total of eight grants.
The funds received from the Mary Kay Foundation will be allocated to the emergency shelter, providing a safe, clean, and comfortable environment enabling victims of family violence to focus on their own healing.
“Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in Saratoga County. An immediate, safe, and violence-free environment is one of the critical services we provide to victims of relationship abuse. In some cases it is the difference between life and possibly death,” said Maggie Fronk, DVRC executive director.
She said in 2012, DVRC answered over 1,700 calls to their 24/7 hotline, provided 2,754 bed nights in their emergency safehouse and counseled 803 men, women, and children escaping abuse.
DVRC provides community outreach, prevention, crisis intervention, and support services to victims of relationship and sexual abuse. All services are confidential, non-judgemental and free of charge. The hotline is 584-8188.