From Hyde County Hotline

ENGELHARD — In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, The Mary Kay Foundation announced today it is awarding $3 million in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters across the country. Hyde County Hotline, Inc. has received a $20,000 unrestricted grant to support local survivors of domestic violence in Hyde County, courtesy od the Mary Kay Foundation. This year’s grant contribution brings the Foundation’s total investment in its shelter grant program to $50 million.

The Mary Kay Foundation was established in 1996 with the overarching purpose of supporting issues impacting women. In 2000, The Foundation expanded to include ending domestic violence as part of its mission. The Foundation is committed to funding the life-saving work of women’s shelters and the annual shelter grant program has helped finance critical needs including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling and legal aid. All of these resources support women and children as they seek refuge and relief on their journey to an abuse-free life. This year, more than 1,200 organizations applied for the Mary Kay Foundation shelter grants.

“At Mary Kay, we believe in helping women improve their circumstances and live their best lives. One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and it is our responsibility to support the women’s shelters that aid these survivors,” The Mary Kay Foundation Board of Directors President Michael Lunceford said. “At the heart of The Foundation’s work is the shelter grant program which is actively supported by our independent sales force. We’re proud that our commitment makes such a powerful impact in local communities and in the lives of domestic violence survivors across the country.”

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, more than 72,000 adult and child victims receive domestic violence services across the United States in just one day. Unfortunately, in the same period of time, more than 11,000 requests for services are unmet due to a lack of resources.

The purpose of Hyde County Hotline, Inc. is to work to eliminate domestic abuse and sexual victimization and provide safe shelter in Hyde County, North Carolina through the collaborative efforts of a compassionate community. We promote dignity, respect and safety at home resulting in safer communities. In addition to safe shelter Hyde County Hotline provides crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, court advocacy, financial planning, assistance in obtaining further education & referrals to counseling for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The need for shelter services in Hyde County is tremendous. Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, Hyde County Hotline served 126 victims of domestic violence in person and received 584 domestic violence related crisis calls and served 84 victims of sexual assault in person and received 601 sexual assault related crisis calls. (Total number of crisis calls received may reflect multiple calls from one victim.)

“Hyde County Hotline is very blessed to have received this generous grant of $20,000 from the Mary Kay Foundation and we are very grateful,” said Hyde County Hotline Executive Director Kathryn Ballance. “Our agency continues to provide compassionate services to all victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Hyde County. The challenges we face are unique to the geographical isolation and distressed economy of our area and grants such as the one we have received from the Mary Kay Foundation are critically important to our ability to assist victims.”

Applications for the 2019 shelter grant program will be available in January 2019, for more information, visit marykayfoundation.org for more information.