Childhelp receives Avon Foundation Speak Out Against Domestic Violence grant

01/07/2008

PHOENIX (December 20, 2007) – Childhelp recently received a $50,000 grant funded through the Avon Foundation Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program, recognizing the nearly 50 years of work Childhelp has done to help children of domestic violence and neglect.

Childhelp will use the $50,000 to increase the number of professional therapists to counsel victims of domestic violence and will increase the number of education programs in preventing domestic violence. Funds will also be used to coordinate response models between domestic violence agencies and child abuse agencies, develop materials and resources to enable teens to speak out about violence and provide safety planning and counseling for children who are witnesses and victims of domestic violence.

“We are extremely honored to have been selected by the Avon Foundation as a recipient of these funds,” said Mark Publow, vice president of strategic initiatives for Childhelp. “Research shows that as many as 10 million children witness or are victims of domestic violence every year and, because of this, are more likely to be victims or perpetrators in adulthood. The fight against domestic violence is vital and we appreciate the added support from Avon.”

This year’s Avon Foundation Speak Out Against Domestic Violence funding totaled nearly $1.3 million and was divided among 32 organizations in 22 states.

CEO and Co-Founder Sara O’Meara and President and Co-Founder Yvonne Fedderson started Childhelp in 1959, establishing it as a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect and at-risk children. Childhelp’s approach focuses on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. Childhelp’s programs and services also include residential treatment services; children’s advocacy centers; therapeutic foster care; group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training. Childhelp also created the National Day of Hope®, held each April during National Child Abuse Prevention Month that mobilizes people across America to join the fight against child abuse.

For more information about Childhelp, call 480-922-8212 or visit www.childhelp.org.

Heather Defrancesco