Wilmington Volunteers Earn $253K for Domestic Violence Nonprofits

Wilmington Allstate agency owners recently joined with others from across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to secure a $253,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands® grant to benefit 15 domestic violence nonprofits in nine states and the District of Columbia, including the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) a network of state domestic violence coalitions, accepted the grant and distributed the funding to each of the local domestic violence nonprofits.

The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence will receive $6,000 and will use the grant to support its mission to change the societal conditions that support sexism, racism, homophobia and other oppressions and which contribute to the continued presence of domestic and sexual violence.

“We’re so grateful to the Allstate volunteers in our area for their commitment to help domestic violence survivors and their families as they take steps to safety,” said Sue Ryan, executive director of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “This grant will allow us to provide critical services and empower even more survivors of domestic violence and promote a violence-free world.”

Allstate volunteers earned the $253,000 grant for their local domestic violence organizations by collecting much-needed items during a supply drive held in November and December, coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The supply drive was part of a multi-state Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® effort that benefitted nonprofits supporting survivors of domestic violence throughout Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.

"With 1 in 4 women experiencing domestic violence in her lifetime, this is an issue that affects every community, including Philadelphia and Wilmington,” said Allstate Capital Region spokesperson Shaundra Turner Jones. “We’re proud to give back through the volunteer efforts of these local Allstate agency owners and The Allstate Foundation grants to help further the work of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence to help survivors gain what all people deserve -- a life free of violence, a safe home and a more hopeful future.”

Participating Allstate agency owner volunteers from Wilmington include (in alphabetical order by last name):

· Brenda Amin, Wilmington

· Joseph DeVane, Bear

· Joyce Powell, Wilmington

· Provey Powell Jr., Wilmington

· Pete Renzi, Milford

· Paul Sarnak, Lewes

The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence is among thousands of organizations this year to receive Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants secured by Allstate agency owners and financial specialists for their volunteer efforts. The grants support organizations addressing domestic violence, youth empowerment, disaster preparedness, hunger and other causes.

The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants are one example of The Allstate Foundation’s legacy of service and giving for communities and nonprofits across the U.S. Each October, domestic violence nonprofits across the country participate in the Purple Purse Challenge to raise funds for financial empowerment programs for survivors of domestic violence. In 2017, more than 220 domestic violence nonprofits participated. Along with the Allstate Foundation grants awarded, more than $4.18 million was raised during the Purple Purse Challenge. To learn more about The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse and to donate, please visit PurplePurse.com.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people’s lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.

About The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV)

The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV) is a statewide, nonprofit organization and coalition of agencies, groups and individuals that strive to promote conditions that prevent and eliminate domestic violence. Since the coalition’s founding in 1994, DCADV has engaged in public education, training, prevention initiatives, and systems advocacy, serving as a strong, unified voice for victims/survivors of domestic violence, children who are affected, and victim service providers.