Domestic violence task force receives $20,000 grant

Published 11:14 am Friday, October 11, 2013

 

IRONTON — The Mary Kay Foundation has awarded $3 million in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force in Ironton received one of the $20,000 unrestricted grants to maintain critical services and programs for individuals who are survivors of domestic abuse.

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The Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force is a full-service facility that services an average of 100 clients annually in Ironton. The funds received from The Mary Kay Foundation will allow the staff and volunteers of the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force to improve the privacy, security and safety of the shelter which will enable them to provide better protection for domestic violence victims in Lawrence County.

“We are very excited and enlightened,” Elaine Payne, director of the task force, said.

“Our staff, volunteers and clients are so thankful for this grant from the Mary Kay Foundation,” said Paula Coburn, board member and Mary Kay consultant. “We’ve provided a safe haven for women who have fled abusive relationships for the past 25 years and this grant will go a long way in helping us serve the growing needs in Ironton and all of Lawrence County.”

For nearly 20 years The Mary Kay Foundation SM has supported the prevention and elimination of domestic violence, an epidemic that touches one in every four women in her lifetime.

Through the foundation’s annual shelter grant program, $34 million has been granted to domestic violence organizations since 2000.

“The Mary Kay Foundation is proud to support local shelters that are on the front lines of helping the thousands of women and children who seek shelter and support from abuse,” said Anne Crews, vice president of government relations for Mary Kay Inc. and board member for The Mary Kay Foundation. “The shelter grants are a signature program for The Mary Kay Foundation and represent just one of the ways we are committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence.”

The Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force is a non-profit organization serving Ironton and neighboring communities in Lawrence County.

All services are free to victims of domestic violence. The organization provides safe shelter for victims and their children, legal advocacy, shelter support, crisis intervention and referrals to other social service agencies as needed. Services are available 24 hours a day.