As part of The Mary Kay Foundation’s annual shelter grants program, The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter (The ARK) has received a $20,000 unrestricted grant to further the organization’s efforts to combat domestic violence and provide rehabilitation services throughout Brown, Coleman and Comanche Counties. The grant awarded to The ARK is part of $3 million in funding that the Foundation has awarded this year to 150 domestic violence shelters in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

The ARK will use the grant funding to provide critical support for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Other recipients use the unrestricted funds for basic operating expenses, hiring much-needed personnel, completing repairs and renovations or adding programs and resources based on the unique needs of their shelter and the clients they serve.

“At The ARK, we are incredibly grateful for support from The Mary Kay Foundation and its continued commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,” said Executive Director Terri Densman. “The funds awarded help to provide men, women, children and pets the right to live in an environment free of violence or fear.”

In 2015 there were 158 deaths caused by Domestic Violence, one of those being in our own community. The Ark served over 300 individuals and families that were victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

“The fact that shelters across the country can use these unrestricted funds to best fit their immediate needs has often made the difference between keeping the doors open or closed, maintaining a critical service or providing a life-saving safe place for a family in need,” said Anne Crews, board member for The Mary Kay Foundation and Vice President of Public Affairs for Mary Kay Inc. “As the Foundation celebrates 20 years of making a difference in the lives of women and children, we are proud to continue our signature domestic violence program in communities nationwide. We know hundreds of thousands of lives have been impacted, not only today but for generations to come.”

Nearly 600 domestic violence shelters applied for The Mary Kay Foundation shelter grants this year. Mary Kay Inc.’s global cause-related program, Beauty That Counts, helps support The Mary Kay Foundation’s annual shelter grant program. Mary Kay has a deep commitment to ending abuse and alongside The Mary Kay Foundation? has given $53 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs.

Please visit marykayfoundation.org for additional information and for the full list of 2016 Shelter Grant Recipients.

About The Mary Kay Foundation?

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.  The Mary Kay Foundation? has awarded $54 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States.  To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation?, please visit www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).

About The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter:

The ARK, along with local police, court officials, and other social service agencies, work together to make our communities safer and to end the violence that is happening in too many homes. They are reaching out to the community and asking for help to end this epidemic of violence.