PASSAGE House Shelter receives $20,000 grant from Mary Kay Foundation

Family & Children's Service of Niagara received a $20,000 unrestricted grant for PASSAGE House domestic violence shelter from the Mary Kay Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to maintain critical services and programs for individuals who are survivors of domestic abuse.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Mary Kay Foundation awarded $3 million in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters this year.

Family & Children's Service opened PASSAGE House in 1989 as the first fully staffed domestic violence shelter in Niagara County. Since that time, thousands of victims of domestic violence and their children have received shelter and support at PASSAGE House. The number of women and children who have received shelter at PASSAGE House has risen nearly 50 percent in the first nine months of 2013.

In addition to general operating support, the grant will fund a computer station for residents; new outdoor seating and toys for women and children in a private and secure setting, providing a safe environment to promote the healing process; and an improved storage area for shelter donations.

"This November PASSAGE House shelter will celebrate its 24th anniversary of service to the community. It is a privilege to provide support to women in our community, so that they may move forward from victims to survivors. Until we are able to eliminate domestic violence, we will remain grateful to foundations such as The Mary Kay Foundation who work toward this common goal," said Ken Sass, president and CEO of Family & Children's Service of Niagara.

"The Mary Kay Foundation is proud to support local shelters that are on the front lines of helping the thousands of women and children who seek shelter and support from abuse," said Anne Crews, vice president of government relations for Mary Kay Inc., and board member for The Mary Kay Foundation.