The
Women's Crisis Center is one of 200 agencies nationwide competing for a $100,000 grant in the Allstate Foundation’s
Purple Purse Challenge.
“Purple is the color for domestic violence, and the purse represents a financial domain,” says Victoria Parks, WCC development director. “And for somebody coming out of shelter, they don’t have anything. In order to stay out of an abusive situation, you need a sense of security.”
For five weeks, beginning September 2, the WCC will aim to raise as much money as possible, and if it is the winning agency at the culmination of the contest, it will receive the $100,000 grant.
“We happen to live in
one of the most generous communities in this country, and I’m confident that the community will support us,” Parks says.
According to Parks, the grant money, in addition to the weekly prize money given out for things like being the first agency to raise $5,000, would allow the nonprofit to shelter more women and finance programs like Fresh Starts for many years to come.
“These women come to us with only the clothes on their back because they’re fleeing from their lives, so when they come out of shelter, we are able to help them with an apartment down payment, a deposit for their utilities, help them with gas—that kind of thing,” Parks says. “This is one of my favorite programs, and it is so relevant.”
The reason so many women are trapped in abusive situations, according to Parks, is due to a lack of funds; so if the agency receives assistance through the Purple Purse Challenge, it will be able to extend its reach and further its mission of leading our community “in the social change needed to end domestic violence, sexual assault and rape.”
Do Good:
• Beginning September 2, support the WCC by
donating through the Purple Purse Challenge Crowdrise site.
•
Fundraise for the WCC by setting up your own Crowdrise account during the contest.
• Volunteer with the WCC by contacting
Kelly Rose.
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