Advocates receive grant

Advocates to End Domestic Violence has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from the Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization's annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program.

Advocates is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will be used to purchase a reliable vehicle for use in transporting clients, as well as in maintaining the Advocates' many programs.

"This grant will be a tremendous help to our agency in a variety of ways," said Lisa Lee, executive director of Advocates. "Domestic Violence is not going away and deserves very serious attention. Programs to help battered women and their children require a lot of resources, that's why we are so thankful The Mary Kay Foundation is helping us help families in crises in Carson City."

The economic climate has not only caused a decrease in donations, but can also be attributed to an increase in the need for domestic violence services.

In May 2009, Mary Kay's Truth About Abuse survey of domestic violence shelters across the country revealed some alarming results: three of four domestic violence shelters report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse since September 2008, a major turning point in the U.S. economy. The survey data directly connects the downturn in the economy to an increase in domestic violence.

To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, go to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 877-652-2737.