Mary Kay Foundation Grant to Help Turning Point

Turning Point, a local domestic violence shelter serving north central Ohio received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation. In observation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Mary Kay Foundation awards $20,000 grants to more than 150 domestic violence shelters across the country for a total of $3 million.

Turning Point says they will use the grant to provide critical support for its shelter clients as shelter stays have grown longer due to the economic downturn because there are increased barriers to reaching self-sufficiency.

“We are grateful to The Mary Kay Foundation and proud to receive this funding on behalf of our community and families,” stated Paula Roller, Executive Director of Turning Point.

Turning Point offers shelter and programming for victims of domestic violence and their children.  The shelter housed its first client in 1979, even before Ohio’s domestic violence statutes took effect.  In the years since, the program has expanded to include the following:

• 24-hour crisis line staffed by trained advocates
• Shelter, food, clothing and advocacy services provided to victims and their children
• Community-based support groups
• Victims’ rights advocacy provided to victims accessing the legal system
• Community education presentations for professionals working with victims of domestic violence and community organizations wanting to know more about the issue
• Transitional Housing
• Children’s programming

For more information about Turning Point, call (740) 382-8988 or toll-free 1-800-232-6505 or visit their website at www.turningpoint6.org.

“The Mary Kay Foundation is committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence.” said Anne Crews, Mary Kay Inc. Vice President of Government Relations and board member for The Mary Kay Foundation. “Through our grants, we honor and support shelters across the country that are having a profound impact for women and children in their communities. Since 2000, we have granted $31 million to help domestic violence shelters meet their critical needs and support their ongoing community efforts.”

The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded nearly $31 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $18 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, visit www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).