For more information contact:
Angela Verdery, Safe Harbor, angelav@safeharborshelter.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAFE HARBOR RECEIVES $22,300 GRANT FROM THE UPS FOUNDATION
Safe Harbor received a $22,300 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS. The grant will be used towards the upgrade of technology and equipment along with the costs associated with recruiting, training, supervising and celebrating Safe Harbor volunteers.
Safe Harbor’s volunteer program significantly supplements the work of the agency’s twelve paid staff. It would be impossible to provide all essential services, 365 days a year, without a cadre of highly trained volunteers. The agency typically has 100 active volunteers deployed across ten volunteer teams. They work beside our staff providing direct services to survivors and educating the community about the issues of sexual and domestic violence. This grant supports this important program and its immeasurable impact on our community.
Safe Harbor Executive Director Kathleen Demro
“UPS’ corporate values of diversity, community safety, and volunteerism align perfectly with the focus of Safe Harbor’s volunteer program. We are honored to work together with UPS to build a program that meets the needs of survivors of violence and tells the story of the UPS Foundation’s commitment to delivering sustainable solutions to the communities where UPS employees live and work,” stated Safe Harbor Executive Director Kathleen Demro.
Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In support of this strategic approach, The UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas of giving: nonprofit effectiveness, encouraging diversity, community safety and environmental sustainability.
In 2011, The UPS Foundation distributed more than $45.3 million worldwide in grants that benefit organizations or programs such as Safe Harbor and provide support building stronger communities.
“The UPS Foundation is honored to support Safe Harbor’s efforts to empower survivors of sexual and domestic violence to transform their lives, and promote healthy relationships for all,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community.”
About Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor empowers survivors of sexual and domestic violence to transform their lives, and promotes healthy relationships for all. The agency was born through the efforts of a St. Mary’s Hospital emergency room nurse who was devastated by the number of domestic abuse victims she treated. As a result, Safe Harbor opened in April 2000. It has grown from an emergency shelter to offering additional critical supportive services including a 24-hour confidential helpline (804-287-7877), community counseling programs for adults and children, community support groups in English and Spanish, court advocacy, hospital accompaniment and community education and outreach services. For more information, please visit www.safeharborshelter.com or www.facebook.com/SafeHarborRVA.