AUSTIN, Texas, July 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Avon Foundation for Women, the world's largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy that focuses on issues that matter most to women, is partnering with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) to grant $500,000 to 25 local domestic violence advocacy programs in cities across the U.S. The grant is part of a larger effort by the two organizations that started with #GivingTuesday to raise funds and awareness for local and national domestic violence hotlines. Each of the grantees will receive $20,000 to continue operating 24-hour hotlines that support domestic abuse victims and provide direct services for survivors in their communities in FY 2016.

The need to help domestic abuse victims is great, according to a recent Avon Foundation for Women funded census conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). On September 10, 2014, NNEDV polled nearly 90% of domestic violence programs in the United States and found 67,646 victims were served on that one day, more than half of which were seeking information on housing. Out of these calls, there were nearly 11,000 unmet requests for services due to lack of resources.

"While we are happy to support domestic violence hotlines and shelters across the country, we are saddened to learn that domestic violence services continue to operate at max capacity with limited funding," said Christine Jaworsky, program director of the Avon Foundation for Women. "Our most recent Avon Foundation-funded NNEDV census shows that more and more requests are going unmet each day. Through this program, we hope that domestic violence agencies across the U.S. will be able to offer even more resources for protection and answer additional calls from victims who so desperately need help."

"Across the country, domestic violence programs and shelters are operating with fewer resources and staff. When victims take the difficult step to reach out for help, many are in life-threatening situations," says Katie Ray-Jones, chief executive officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. "The generous dollars received from our partners at the Avon Foundation for Women will enable more victims to get the help they need whether it is for counseling, shelter, legal services or compassionate support as they try to live a life free from violence. The funds will also serve as a critical resource for nonprofits facing the end of the fiscal year on June 30."

Below is a list of the 25 local organizations receiving a $20,000 grant:

Avon's Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program has been working since 2004 to build awareness, educate, and develop and implement prevention and direct service programs. Through Speak Out, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have donated nearly $40 million in the U.S. to reduce domestic violence.  

Visit AvonFoundation.org to read a blog about the program and share the news on social media by tagging @avonfoundation and @ndvh to help raise awareness about domestic violence.

Avon Foundation for Women
The Avon Foundation for Women is the world's largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women.  Since its inception in 1955, the Avon Foundation has promoted or aided charitable, scientific, educational, and humanitarian activities, with a special emphasis on activities that improve the lives of women and their families. Through 2014, Avon global philanthropy, led by the Avon Foundation, has contributed nearly $1 billion in over 50 countries. Today, Avon philanthropy focuses on funding breast cancer research and advancing access to quality care through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Visit www.avonfoundation.org for more information.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a non-profit organization established in 1996 as a component of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Operating around the clock, confidential and free of cost, The Hotline provides victims and survivors with life-saving tools and immediate support. Callers to the hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) can expect highly trained advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in more than 200 languages.  Visitors to TheHotline.org can chat live with advocates and they can find information about domestic violence, safety planning, local resources, and ways to support the organization.

The Hotline relies on the generous support of individuals, private gifts from corporations and foundations and federal grants. It is funded in part by Grant Number 90EV0407/03 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/ Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, a division of the Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Administration for Children and Families or the U.S. Department of HHS.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cameka Crawford
803.470.6384 or hotline.media@ndvh.org

Kristen Clonan
212.282.6797 or kristen.clonan@avon.com

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SOURCE The National Domestic Violence Hotline