Columbia Entrepreneurs Earn $253,000 Grant for Domestic Violence

BALTIMORE, Feb. 19, 2018 – Baltimore-area 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 HopeWorks of Howard County. 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.

HopeWorks of Howard County will receive $2,000 and will use the grant to support its mission to provide critical services to people in Howard County affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual abuse and engage the community in creating the change required for prevention.

“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 Jennifer Pollitt Hill, executive director of HopeWorks. “This grant will allow us to provide support and advocacy for people in Howard County affected by sexual and intimate partner violence and engage the community in creating the change required for prevention.”

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 Baltimore,” 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 HopeWorks of Howard County 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 the Baltimore area include:

• David Johnson, Columbia
• Colleen Wagschal, Columbia

The National Network to End Domestic Violence and HopeWorks of Howard County are 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.

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