Allstate Agency Owners Earn Grant for Domestic Violence Nonprofit

West Virginia Allstate agency owners recently joined with others from across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to secure a $253,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands® grant to benefit 15 domestic violence nonprofits in nine states and the District of Columbia, including the YWCA of Wheeling. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a network of state domestic violence coalitions, accepted the grant and distributed the funding to each of the local domestic violence nonprofits.

The YWCA of Wheeling will receive $8,000 and will use the grant to support its mission to help survivors of domestic violence in the Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties by providing assistance such as legal court advocates, child advocates, employability advocates and other essential services.

“We’re so grateful to the Allstate volunteers in our area for their commitment to help domestic violence survivors and their families as they take steps to safety,” said Patricia Flanigan, YCWA Family Violence Prevention program director. “This grant will allow us to provide critical services and empower even more survivors of domestic violence and promote a violence-free world.”

Allstate volunteers earned the $253,000 grant for their local domestic violence organizations by collecting much-needed items during a supply drive held in November and December, coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The supply drive was part of a multi-state Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® effort that benefitted nonprofits supporting survivors of domestic violence throughout Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.

"With 1 in 4 women experiencing domestic violence in her lifetime, this is an issue that affects every community, including Wheeling,” said Allstate Capital Region spokesperson Shaundra Turner Jones. “We’re proud to give back through the volunteer efforts of these local Allstate agency owners and The Allstate Foundation grants to help further the work of the YWCA of Wheeling to help survivors gain what all people deserve -- a life free of violence, a safe home and a more hopeful future.”

Participating Allstate agency owner volunteers from West Virginia include (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Christopher Boyce, Fairmont
• Gary Dietz, Wheeling
• Gary Kelley, Martinsburg
• Joyia Lytle, Weirton
• Tara Miller, Berkley
• Amber Ritchie, Kearneysville
• Brian Schnopp, Morgantown
• John Shepherd, Martinsburg

The National Network to End Domestic Violence and the YWCA of Wheeling are among thousands of organizations this year to receive Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants secured by Allstate agency owners and financial specialists for their volunteer efforts. The grants support organizations addressing domestic violence, youth empowerment, disaster preparedness, hunger and other causes.

The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants are one example of The Allstate Foundation’s legacy of service and giving for communities and nonprofits across the U.S. Each October, domestic violence nonprofits across the country participate in the Purple Purse Challenge to raise funds for financial empowerment programs for survivors of domestic violence. In 2017, more than 220 domestic violence nonprofits participated. Along with the Allstate Foundation grants awarded, more than $4.18 million was raised during the Purple Purse Challenge. To learn more about The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse and to donate, please visit PurplePurse.com.

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.

About YWCA Wheeling

YWCA Wheeling is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen our community. The organization offers programming for family violence prevention, cultural diversity and community outreach, residence and emergency homeless sheltering and non-treatment recovery. YWCA Wheeling is an active member agency of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. For comprehensive information, visit www.ywcawheeling.org.