FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RECEIVES $20,000 AS PART OF $3 MILLION NATIONWIDE GRANT FROM THE MARY KAY FOUNDATION TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN SAN JOSE AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Mary Kay shelter grant program to help many of the 61,000 domestic violence survivors
assisted each day in the United States

SAN JOSE, October 10, 2011 – Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program. Next Door is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will be used to provide more than 240 women and children with vital 24-hour shelter, safety planning, and direct services that will help cultivate immediate and long-term safety.

“Domestic violence programs are in greater need than ever before,” said Kathleen Krenek, Executive Director of Next Door. “Battered women need jobs more than ever before and as before, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation and corporation came to our rescue. The $20,000 grant helps to keep our doors open and for battered women, employment opportunities to meet their individual needs continue to exist.  We thank the foundation and corporation for your visionary approach to business and philanthropy.”

Domestic Violence Outlook

According to the second “Mary Kay Truth About Abuse” national survey conducted in March 2011, domestic violence shelters indicate the economic downturn has increased demand for services. Shelters also report, the ability to raise funds and provide services will be hampered into 2012. Due to the economy, the survey also revealed:

• 80 percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide (more than three out of four) report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse, and most attribute this to financial issues.
• 76 percent of domestic violence shelters (three out of four) indicate their funding has decreased.
• 65 percent of women in shelters can’t find employment due to the economy.
• 56 percent of shelters 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. Next Door has helped so many women and their families in the San Jose and greater Santa Clara County 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, The Mary Kay Foundation board member.

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About Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence

Next Door began in 1971 out of the garage of a local San Jose women’s rights activist. Since then, Next Door has become the premier agency addressing the needs of victims of domestic violence and their children. Next Door seeks to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time by addressing all sides of the issue by helping victims to rebuild their lives, building resilience in children who are exposed to DV, and advocating for responsible policy change. To achieve its goals, Next Door provides innovative prevention and intervention services to diverse ethnic and low-income families in Santa Clara County (SCC), California, the majority of which come from San Jose.

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. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded $28 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $16 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).

SHARKS JOIN THE FIGHT

AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

SAN JOSE, CA—The San Jose Sharks are known for being tough on the ice. Now, the Sharks Foundation is getting tough on the issue of domestic violence by supporting Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence.

The Sharks Foundation has pledged $25,000 to support Next Door Solutions, a non-profit organization that provides housing and assistance to victims of domestic abuse and their children.

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence was founded in 1971 with the goal “to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time”.

Next Door Solutions’ services include a 24-hour emergency hotline and safe shelter, transitional housing in San Jose and Santa Clara, peer counseling and support groups, and legal advocacy.

In addition, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence offers access to services in over 35 languages and have programs for children, teens, and the elderly.

With the Sharks Foundation joining the team, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence is that much closer than ever to achieving their goal to end domestic violence.

More information can be found at www.nextdoor.org.

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FOR INFORMATION: http://www.nextdoor.org

Contact: jmarcus@nextdoor.org

(408) 501-7540