Women often remain in violent relationships because they don’t have the money to get out. The Avon Foundation is hoping to change this.
In 2004, the Avon Foundaiton launched their Speak Out Against Domestic Violence campaign. So far, they’ve donated over $12 million to more than 400 domestic violence organizations. That’s why they’re on my blogroll of donation recommendations.
Yesterday, they announced grant guidelines for 2010:
Domestic violence victims may be less likely to leave and stay away from abusers if they have limited hope of achieving economic stability on their own. Additionally, this lack of economic stability or programs may increase the likelihood of a return to the abuser or lead to homelessness. The creation and funding of the Avon Empowerment Self-Sufficiency Program will make an immediate, tangible difference for DV survivors by providing them with guidance and assistance to create independent, violence-free lives.
Up to 30 grants will be awarded totaling up to $1.5 million in 2010.
The application deadine is April 16, 2010. Funding is for October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. I’m psyched about this round of grants because recipients will have measurable outcomes including proof of things like job placement. At a minimum, recipients will have to help people with:
- affordable housing and public aid
- scholarships
- job training, education, and employment agencies
- public-use of computers
- business clothing advice
Avon works primarily with the National Family Justice Center Alliance to deliver services to people who have experienced domestic violence.
Anne Caroline Drake 
Dear Anne Caroline — I was excited about Avon Foundation, and sought help from it some years ago. However, like many foundations, they prefer to work with nonprofits, not individuals.
As women leaving violence, particularly women with kids strung out in the family law system, finances and employment often always ongoing issues, which has to be balanced with legal proceedings (rarely closed before children age out), safety of onesself and the children, and in general, also maintaining a sense of dignity and empowerment. Some women I know are simply homeless, even while working — because after custody switch, their wages are garnished for child support to the abuser.
i comment you on publicizing this, but wish to add my two bits — actually not mine, but others’ also. We have GONE to the nonprofits, and in fact, some of these funds don’t reach us. The emphasis is on the professionals conferencing and collaborating, and we, the women needing help, are the recipients (if lucky enough to connect with the right one), putting us in a help-seeking mode, which mirrors the abuse mode, also.
For example, right now, I simply need a dang laptop, and in former times (and now) phone. Because situations are so volatile, long-term programs, or complicated application processes, sometimes requiring equipment we just don’t have, are not workable.
Here’s the description of Avon site:
http://www.avoncompany.com/women/speakout/advisorycommittee.html
Avon Foundation Donation and Funding General Guidelines
***The Avon Foundation provides grants to organizations and institutions, predominantly 501(c)(3) or equivalent, in the areas outlined in our mission statement: breast cancer, domestic violence and emergency disaster relief. ***
The Avon Foundation does NOT provide grants to the following:
Individuals or programs that benefit specific individuals
Religious organizations
Political organizations, campaigns or candidates
Personal fundraising or fees for special events (runs, walk-a-thons, etc.)
Individual medical researchers or practitioners except through a larger Avon Foundation funding program through an institution
Direct costs of patient care or treatment
Programs outside the US except through special Avon Foundation initiatives
HERE are some of their professionals, known to many of us who have been reading on this for years. . . . .
top notch professionals:
http://www.avoncompany.com/women/speakout/advisorycommittee.html
I want to comment on Casey Gwinn, and the Family Justice Center Model:
” 2002, Casey saw his vision of a comprehensive, “one stop shop” for services to victims of family violence become a reality in San Diego. The Family Justice Center opened its doors in downtown San Diego on October 10, 2002. In January, 2003, Casey and the San Diego Family Justice Center were profiled on the Oprah Winfrey Show as leading the way for other communities in its coordinated approach to co-locating services for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and sexual assault. In October, 2003, President George W. Bush announced a national initiative to begin creating Family Justice Centers across the country and asked Casey to provide leadership to the effort. Casey currently oversees a national technical assistance team that supports all existing and developing Family Justice Centers in the United States and around the world, speaks in communities across America, and provides leadership to the YWCA of San Diego County. . . ”
~ ~ ~http://www.10news.com/news/3771446/detail.html
“Lawsuit Exposes Alleged Cover-Up At Family Justice Center
City Employee Files Suit Against City, Casey Gwinn
>>>
POSTED: 4:06 pm PDT September 29, 2004
>>>
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Family Justice Center has gained national and international attention as a leader in prevention of domestic abuse. ///But, a lawsuit filed against the city and city attorney’s office may rock the center’s reputation.///
City Employee Files Suit Against City, Casey Gwinn
//Statements Regarding Family Justice Center Lawsuit
///
The founder of the Family Justice Center, San Diego City Attorney Casey Gwinn said he has handled more than 10,000 domestic abuse cases. Now, many of his employees at the Family Justice Center and at the City Attorney’s Office are asking how one of his workers was allegedly abused for years without getting help…”
records show that police responded to numerous calls at the victim’s former home on Armacost Road. Several workers at the City Attorney’s Office and the Family Justice Center told 10News that the victim came to work with broken bones, bruises, cuts and black eyes.
“If Casey Gwinn didn’t notice that on one of his own — seeing her every single day — then what is he doing at the Family Justice Center?” questioned Clark.
“According to the lawsuit, a long history of severe abuse against a Family Justice Center employee was going to be made public when the woman threatened to kill her husband and was arrested. Clark was then assigned a special project to quietly help the woman.” {{and you can read the rest.}}
This link talks about a 14 yr old young man who was shot by his father, while being counseled by the (IN)famous Stephen Doyne (credentials questioned), after which the father shot himself:
http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040516/news_1m16mom.html
Mr. Gwinn wanted more grants to study firearms…
////
But are the grants getting TO the women? Who have they actually helped or saved??
I myself tried to get through to the Verizon Helpline, at a time I needed a phone, and stalking was involved. Like Alexis A. Moore (Survivors in Action), I did the calls, and couldn’t raise even an eyebrow. Come to find out, Verizon gave the original $1 million grant, it seems, that jumpstarted these family justice centers.
We are finding that these nonprofits are too often simply NOT helping.
This article by Alexis in Women’s Enews summarizes the problem:
http://www.womensenews.org/story/domestic-violence/090820/violence-survivor-lobbies-open-vawas-books
||”Violence Survivor Lobbies to Open VAWA’s Books
By Regina Varolli
WeNews correspondent
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A survivor of domestic violence is speaking out about what she calls the lack of accountability for how public anti-violence money is allocated. In her own case, she says no public funding was available to help her when she needed it.
(WOMENSENEWS)–Alexis A. Moore, founder of Survivors in Action in Oakland, Calif., is trying to follow the federal money for preventing domestic violence.
Moore, a 30-year-old law school student in Sacramento, Calif., began to wonder where the money was going after she found herself personally needing it, but not getting it.
Roughly four years ago, Moore had been living with an abusive man who threatened her and her relatives, saying he would come after them if she ever tried to leave.
In planning her escape, she had been counting on a local shelter to house–and hide–her. “I was turned away from the then-El Dorado County Women’s Center, only to learn later they had enough funding to serve me at my most dire time of need,” Moore recently told Women’s eNews.”
I am of the opinion that WE must do the tracking, however, she’s right. The money is going to conferences, and professionals talking to professionals. Good luck if you, a victim, can afford to attend a conference, or actually get some help.
. . .
I like this model (just found, and contacted, today):
http://www.webofbenefit.org/
However, too often, when they expand, the personality and effectiveness is lost in exchange for the business model.
Family Violence Protection Fund (endabuse.org) in particular is what I consider to be a serious offender, and is taking funding from fatherhood movements to the max.
To further understand this, see TAGGS.HHS.GOV or other site that track the grants.
I appreciate your blogs, and hope this wasn’t too strongly worded. Then again, I’ve been in this system now over 10 years, and still ain’t out. Women need to keep it real, keep it localized, and keep it going. Recommended site (I recommend, at least): http://www.justicewomen.org.
Have a wonderful day.
Wow! That’s some comment!
I would encourage you to engage in dialogue with the organizations that have disappointed you. The one thing I know for sure is that funds are tight for all of them. You might want to look at my posts regarding how little money is invested in DV prevention versus the war in Iraq, etc. It was eye-opening for me.
A couple of years ago, I yanked the Avon Foundation’s chain because there wasn’t any “speaking out” in their Speak Out campaign. I noticed this week that they now have a video. IMHO, it could be a whole lot more effective, but I’m impressed that they did it.
Anne Caroline
Really enjoyed the site 🙂
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