Lassen Family Services, the only crisis intervention center in Lassen County providing completely free services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child and elder abuse and neglect, has received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation. In advance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the Foundation has awarded $20,000 in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for a total of $3 million.
While more than half of the grant recipients use the unrestricted funds for basic operating expenses, others hire much needed personnel, complete repairs and facility renovations or add programs and resources based on the unique needs of their shelter and the clients they serve. Lassen Family Services will use the grant funding to provide critical support for its domestic violence shelter, specifically to complete needed repairs and facility renovations.
“At Lassen Family Services, we are incredibly grateful for support from The Mary Kay Foundation and its commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,” said Becky Brewster, Executive Director of Lassen Family Services.“Lassen Family Services has been the single provider of free emergency crisis intervention and Shelter services in Lassen County for more than 36 years,” said Brewster. “Funding availability in rural areas such as Lassen County is limited, and as such only minor upkeep has been performed as funds permit. With this grant award, we will be able to complete needed repairs and facility renovations.”
Lassen Family Services is the only crisis intervention center in Lassen County providing completely free services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child and elder abuse and neglect, and is committed to ending abuse in our community through Prevention, Healing, Advocacy, Safety, and Education, compassionate intervention, and effective partnerships with local community and social service agencies that will support the victim’s journey to empowerment. In addition to its many programs and services, it operates a 24-hour crisis line and offers shelter services to victims and their families.
“Mary Kay has a long-standing commitment to prevent, and end, domestic violence,” said Anne Crews, board member for The Mary Kay Foundation and Vice President of Public Affairs for Mary Kay Inc. “While progress has been made in the United States in meeting the needs of the thousands of domestic violence survivors who seek help each and every day, there remains a significant gap between funding and resources. We know from our work with shelter directors across the nation that the Foundation’s annual grants are a lifeline for many shelters and continue to impact an epidemic that touches one in every four women.”
Since 2000, The Mary Kay Foundation has donated $35.6 million to domestic violence organizations through its annual shelter grant program. Each year, grants are awarded to at least one domestic violence shelter in every state with the remaining grants distributed based on state population. U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands have also received funding through the Shelter Grant program. Approximately 625 domestic violence shelters applied for funding this year.
Lassen Family Services was established in 1979 as a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to ending violence and abuse in our community through Prevention, Healing, Advocacy, Safety, and Education, compassionate intervention, and effective partnerships with local community and social service agencies that will support the victim’s journey to empowerment.
