Seekhaven receives $20,000 grant for domestic violence prevention and awareness programs
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Seekhaven, the local women’s shelter that serves Grand County as well as parts of San Juan and Emery counties, recently received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay FoundationSM. The foundation awards $20,000 grants to more than 150 domestic violence shelters across the U.S. in observation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

Seekhaven will use the grant to provide critical support for its local victims of domestic violence who need to access emergency shelter and supportive services, local officials said in a news release. The funding will allow Seekhaven to avoid decreasing the level of services that they are able to offer and will provide much needed support for repairs to the shelter and the surrounding property, officials said.

“Over the past several years, Seekhaven has sustained a series of funding setbacks,” said Jaylyn Hawks, executive director for Seekhaven. “Through careful management of resources, collaborating with other service agencies, and streamlining staff, we’ve been able to successfully absorb these setbacks without decreasing services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. We are at a critical point where additional ‘streamlining’ could realistically result in a decrease of services we are able to continue offering. This funding comes at a critical time.”

In addition to providing emergency shelter and meals, Seekhaven offers crisis counseling and support groups as well as a variety of support services. Those services include assistance in finding housing, employment counseling, and life skills building, as well as referrals to other appropriate service agencies.

During the past year, Seekhaven assisted more than 400 primary and secondary victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, Hawks said in the news release. Additionally, in collaboration with the Children’s Justice Center and local law enforcement, Seekhaven works with the Grand County School District to provide educational presentations on bullying and electronic social media safety to students.

“Recognizing that each client is an individual with different viewpoints, life experiences, situations, resources, and skills enables our staff to identify appropriate goals and action plans tailored to each client’s unique needs,” Hawks said.

Seekhaven advocates a “community-based” approach to preventing violence, Hawks said.

“While safe shelter and resources for victims are essential components of Seekhaven’s program, engaging the entire community in primary prevention efforts is a vital part of Seekhaven’s commitment to ending violence,” she said.

“The Mary Kay FoundationSM is committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence,” said Anne Crews, Mary Kay Inc. vice president of government relations and board member for The Mary Kay FoundationSM. “Through our grants, we honor and support shelters across the country that are having a profound impact for women and children in their communities. Since 2000, we have granted $31 million to help domestic violence shelters meet their critical needs and support their ongoing community efforts.”

For more information about Seekhaven visit seekhaven.org.
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