A Pandemic Within a Pandemic, The Mary Kay Foundation

The Mary Kay Foundation_^SM awards grants to organizations amid increase of domestic violence in the U.S. during COVID-19.

A pandemic within a pandemic – that’s how many shelter directors described the devastating increase in domestic violence across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It was a time that stretched domestic violence shelters to the limits with women and children experiencing unspeakable abuse.

In an effort to help prevent and end domestic violence exacerbated by COVID-19, The Mary Kay Foundation^SM awarded $25,000 grants to four North Texas shelters: Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, Denton County Friends of the Family and The Family Place. As a longtime partner of North Texas domestic violence organizations, the Foundation awarded the grants totaling $100,000 to support domestic violence workers – the first responders for women and children.

While each shelter experienced different rates of increased need for services, the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice reported that domestic violence incidents increased by 8.1% overall across the U.S. The pandemic created a wide-ranging host of challenges for domestic violence shelters and forced organizations to pivot services while navigating the rapidly changing situation. For all shelters regardless of location, it required diligently working to devise organization-wide protocols to stay open and ready to serve those in need.

During this unprecedented and challenging time in history, it was imperative for us to support the first responders who worked tirelessly to help survivors and their families. Until domestic violence is eradicated, we remain steadfast in our continued support of organizations providing these life-saving services.