Mary Kay Foundation gives Another Way $20K

The Mary Kay Foundation is giving $20,000 to Another Way, Inc., a local domestic violence and rape crisis center serving Levy, Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette,  Gilchrist and Suwannee Counties.

The award is one of  more than 150 bestowed by the Foundation in observation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October to domestic violence shelters. In all, the Foundation will award more than $3 million. 

Another Way will use the grant to provide critical support for its two 35-bed shelters in Chiefland and Lake City.  The funds will be used to help supplement shelter operating expenses which include personnel, housing supplies, food, utilities, insurance and maintenance and repair expenses.

“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 challenges faced due to a failed economy have been many.” said Donna Fagan, executive director of Another Way. “ Funding continues to decrease and private donations have become almost non-existent, however, reports of domestic violence continue to increase. We are able to meet these challenges head on and continue to serve survivors of domestic violence through funding provided by outstanding organizations such as the Mary Kay Foundation.  Their commitment to end domestic violence is commendable and we deeply appreciate their support.”

Another Way, Inc. is a certified domestic violence and rape crisis center that serves seven rural counties in Florida encompassing over 4,700 square miles.  Another Way has two emergency shelter facilities and six outreach offices.  In the calendar year ending December 2011 Another Way provided 24,867 bed nights.  Services provided by Another Way include a 24 hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, group and individual counseling, legal advocacy and community education.