Saratoga Springs, NY, Oct 31 2017 – Wellspring, the Saratoga County based domestic violence and sexual assault services resource has won a $35,000 prize grant from The Allstate Foundation after placing in 3rd in a nationwide fundraising competition for domestic violence organizations in Allstate’s Purple Purse Challenge. This marks the third prize won by the organization during the month-long challenge. Wellspring also finished the second week of the challenge in the Top 3, winning an additional $10,000 challenge gift and finished the final week in the Top 5, winning $3,000.
In total, Wellspring raised more than $80,000 thanks to the generosity of the community. They will use the money to support their comprehensive approach to helping victims of domestic violence, providing services such as shelter, a 24-Hour hotline, counseling, and legal advocacy. The funds will also help expand the programs that focus on prevention, issue awareness, and social change, such as partnerships with local schools and law enforcement.
Wellspring was supported in the challenge by 38 volunteers who helped raise funds from more than 300 donors. Local businesses and service organizations also supported Wellspring throughout the challenge—some hosted lunch and learn sessions, donation fitness classes, a company taco day, several promoted dress down days, and a local restaurant organized a dining out night to raise money and awareness.
Maggie Fronk, executive director of Wellspring, said, “I am totally in awe of the generosity of our community in supporting Wellspring’s vision of ending relationship and sexual abuse. “
The Challenge, which wrapped up Oct. 31, coincided with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In total, the Purple Purse Challenge raised $2.5 million that will go toward helping domestic violence survivors regain their independence.
The fundraising comes at a critical time for Wellspring and other domestic violence organizations around the country: 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. In 2016, Wellspring answered 1,625 hotline calls, provided almost 17,000 safe bed nights of shelter and supportive housing, counseled 843 individuals who were escaping their abuse, and provided education about the signs of relationship and sexual abuse to 5,600 students or community groups. They also started new programs and positions to expand their reach and services, as well as invested in new outreach programs to improve their communication with the entire community.
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 13th 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.
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 Wellspring:
At Wellspring, our mission is to support survivors and engage our community to end relationship and sexual abuse. Each year, our crisis intervention and survivor services support more than 1,000 clients—providing safe housing to adults and children either fleeing or homeless because of domestic violence, as well as comprehensive support in the form of counseling, legal advocacy, and case management. While helping victims in need is a major focus of the Agency’s mission, we know that by increasing awareness we can end intimate partner violence. Wellspring staff provides prevention and education programs to school-aged youth, as well as training and education programs for parents, faith based congregations, and professional organizations.
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.