NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 200
nonprofit domestic violence organizations across the country are
raising funds through the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse®
Challenge to help women recover from domestic violence and
financial abuse. From Sept. 28 to Oct.
25, the public can visit PurplePurse.com to donate and help
women reclaim their independence – and become #FreeToWalk from
abusive relationships.
With nearly three dozen additional nonprofits competing this
year, the Purple Purse Challenge selects domestic violence
organizations to take part in a friendly competition for
$650,000 in prize funding from The
Allstate Foundation. In its third year, the Challenge gives 100
percent of proceeds to provide life-changing services to help
survivors build safer lives for themselves and their families.
The fundraising comes at a critical time. On an average day,
more than 12,000 requests for emergency shelter, childcare,
financial aid and other services go unanswered due to a lack of
funding at domestic violence programs around the country. Even as
demand for their services increases, these organizations continue
to operate with limited resources.
"The outlook for domestic violence survivors isn't going to
improve unless organizations have the resources to help them get
back on their feet and avoid returning to their abusers," said
Vicky Dinges, senior vice president
of corporate responsibility, Allstate. "More survivors are reaching
out than ever before, and we're failing them because the very
programs they need most can't support them. Fundraising efforts
like Purple Purse Challenge are so critical because they provide
women a lifeline and hope for their futures."
One in four women will experience domestic violence in her
lifetime. In 99 percent of cases, victims will endure financial
abuse, which means their abusers deny them access to money and
financial resources. Without resources of their own, victims are
often unable to care for themselves and their families, find
employment and housing or save for the future.
"The marks left on a domestic violence victim and her children
are not just physical; they often include chronic health problems
and a dramatically increased likelihood of poverty and
homelessness," said Kim Gandy,
president and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence,
the Foundation's longtime national partner. "Whether you know it or
not, someone you know and care about has experienced abuse, or will
in the future. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is making it
possible for thousands of victims to flee violence and is
supporting them in creating a better life for themselves and their
children."
To encourage public support, every $10 donation will include one entry into a daily
sweepstakes to win a purple handbag designed by actor and activist
Kerry Washington specifically for
the Purple Purse Challenge. The handbag is not available in stores.
Handbag prizes are provided by the National Network to End Domestic
Violence (NNEDV). All proceeds go to Challenge participants.
In addition to donating through the Challenge, Purple Purse
charms can be purchased for $10
through PurplePurse.com. Newly designed for this year's Challenge,
the charms are the perfect accessory for men and women to clip on
their own purses, backpacks, briefcases and more to show their
support. One-hundred percent of proceeds benefit Challenge
nonprofit partners.
The Purple Purse Challenge is part of Allstate Foundation Purple
Purse, which aims to help end domestic violence and financial abuse
through financial empowerment. In its 12th year, Allstate
Foundation Purple Purse has educated the public about how financial
abuse traps victims in violent relationships. It has also propelled
more than 800,000 victims on the path to safety and security, and
invested more than $50 million to
empower women to break free from abuse through life-changing
financial education, job training and readiness and small business
programs for survivors.
If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation,
call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE
(7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
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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SOURCE The Allstate Foundation