In support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Mary Kay Ash Charitable foundation donated $20,000 to Casa de Misericordia (CASA)  in October to support the shelter’s ongoing efforts to help women affected by domestic violence. 

CASA is one of 150 shelters throughout the country receiving similar grants during the month of October and marks the seventh time since 2000 that the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation awarded grants to women’s shelters in all 50 states.

“I am thrilled to accept this grant from the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation on behalf of CASA,” said Sister Rosemary Welsh, Executive Director.  “Domestic violence is a significant and growing problem; one that affects millions of women and children across the country.  This grant will help us continue our work to protect, educate and care for survivors of domestic abuse.”

“The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation has always been dedicated to helping women,” said Ryan Rogers, foundation board member and Mary Kay Ash’s grandson.  “We are hopeful that these grants will succeed in heightening awareness of the insidious problem of domestic violence against women, as well as providing much-needed financial aid to local shelters on a grassroots level.”

To raise awareness and champion zero tolerance of dating violence against teens, the foundation and the National Domestic Violence Hotline have also joined together to great the “Love is Respect” program.  The program’s services include a telephone helpline and the website www.loveisrespect.com.  Together, the helpline and website provide 24-hour assistance to teens and parents seeking help and guidance for intimate partner violence.

The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation was created in 1996 to fund research of cancers affecting women, and in 2000, expanded its mission to include the prevention of violence against women.  Since that time, the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $11 million in grants to women’s shelters throughout the country

Operated by the Laredo Sisters of Mercy, Casa de Misericordia is Laredo’s only domestic violence shelter and strives to provide refuge, holistic support, and educational opportunities for the women and children it serves. A catalyst for community action and education, CASA works to free from violence every person crossing its doors through educational programming, active former residents, and collaboration with community agencies throughout Webb County.

 For more information, please contact Sister Rosemary Welsh  at 718-6810, visit offices at 1000 Mier, email Rosemary.Welsh@mercy.net or click on www.mercylaredo.com