Metropolitan Center for Women and Children has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant to help in St. John, St. James, St. Charles and Jefferson parishes from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program. Metropolitan Center for Women and Children is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will be used to provide operational support for the Center’s shelter for domestic violence victims.

“This grant is such a blessing to the agency n a variety of ways,” said Dale Standifer, executive director of Metropolitan Center for Women and Children. “Not only does it make up for a deficit in

funding this year, but it also gives

us hope and strength to continue what we do. 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 is why we are so thankful

The Mary Kay Foundation is

helping us help families in Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John and St. James”

Domestic Violence Outlook

According to the second “Mary Kay Truth About Abuse” national survey conducted in March 2010, domestic violence shelters indicate the economic downturn has increased demand for services. Shelters also report that the ability to raise funds and to provide services will be hampered well into 2011 because of the state of the economy.

88 percent of domestic violence shelters expect their overall situation will worsen, or remain the same into 2011.

Three out of four domestic violence shelters (77 percent) report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse.

Fifty-one percent of shelters nationwide note the abuse is more violent now than before the economic downturn.

“In light of the economic downturn and alarming increases in domestic violence, The Mary Kay Foundation’s mission is more critical than ever before. Metropolitan Center for Women and Children has helped so many women and their families in the Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John, and St. James area. We know they will use these funds to benefit even more domestic violence survivors and their children and help end domestic violence,” said Jennifer Cook, a

Mary Kay Foundation board member.