Homeless Shelter Offers Innovative Solution in the Struggle Against Womens Violence

The Womens Violence Prevention Project of The Friends of the Shattuck Shelter Receives a Grant from the Mellon Charitable Giving Program

Boston, MA (PRWEB) August 1, 2003 -- The Womens Violence Prevention Project (WVP), a program of The Friends of the Shattuck Shelter, received a $30,000 grant from the Mellon Charitable Giving Program through the generosity of the Peter E. Strauss Trust. The grant will foster the development of a Womens Violence Prevention Alliance (WVP Alliance), which will work to bring lasting solutions for homeless women who experience chronic physical or sexual violence. The proposed WVP Alliance will enhance communication between members, prevent the geographic duplication of services, develop more effective programming, and identify gaps in services ensuring the successful treatment of abused women on the streets.

We are very grateful to Mellon New England and the Mellon Charitable Giving Program for its leadership and financial support of the Womens Violence Prevention Project and Alliance," said Joseph Churchill, Executive Director of The Friends of the Shattuck Shelter.

The development of the WVP Alliance is a long-term venture, which will significantly augment the efficacy of expert organizations in the field of womens violence prevention by establishing formal collaboration between specialized street outreach units, battered womens organizations, substance abuse treatment programs and law enforcement personnel.

It will provide crucial opportunities for program enhancements that will allow abused homeless women to safely end cycles of violence and begin new lives," concluded Churchill.

The Womens Violence Prevention Project is a specialized street outreach team trained in techniques and strategies for engaging homeless women who experience severe emotional, physical and sexual abuse. The WVP links victims with life-saving services and perpetrators with treatment. The goal of the WVP is to help homeless women escape violence.

With more than 2,700 employees, Mellon New England represents the Boston-based businesses of Mellon Financial Corporation, including its private wealth management, global securities services, and institutional asset management groups. Through its charitable giving program, Mellon New England plays an active role making communities better places to live and work. Over the past five years, it has invested more than $12 million in support of over 150 Boston-area community groups.

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