JWI Awarded Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Meredith Jacobs, VP Communications
direct: 202.464.4803// cell: 301.529.8591

Funds will bring programs to N.Y.-area universities to change the culture on campus

Washington, D.C. – Jewish Women International (JWI), the leading Jewish organization working to end violence against women and girls, has been awarded a two year, $80,000.00 grant from the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York (JWFNY) to educate and engage students in social change to end sexual assault. This funding is the second grant from the foundation supporting JWI’s Change the Culture initiative and specifically funds expansion to New York-area universities (including Orthodox colleges) and creation of New York-specific materials.

JWI works directly with students from Greek-life, Hillel, and the at-large student body for peer-led training, discussion groups and public awareness campaigns as well as Jewish-themed programming. The organization has been recognized for its expertise in bringing healthy relationship programs to both university and Orthodox Jewish communities.

“This partnership with the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York will allow us to foster conversations and create meaningful programs with New York-area college students to make a real difference in their everyday lives while changing the culture on their campuses,” said JWI CEO Lori Weinstein. “We know that campuses are experiencing record numbers of incidences of sexual assault and unsafe dating practices. But by educating students and giving them tools to become active bystanders, supportive allies, and advocates for change, we will create that positive change that will make our campuses safe for all students to learn and grow.”

“We were impressed by the difference JWI is already making on campuses with both healthy relationship and financial literacy workshops,” said Stephanie Blumenkranz, assistant director of JWFNY. “Our Foundation is focused on providing women with the opportunity to make real change in their lives and in the lives of other women. We are thrilled that we will be continuing our relationship with JWI and empowering students to address one of the most critical issues for their generation.”

“We are honored that the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York has entrusted us to oversee this expansion in New York,” Weinstein said. “We are deeply appreciative for the foundation’s long-term support, beginning years ago with the seed-funding they gave us to create our financial literacy program, Life$avings® for Teens. We look forward to continuing our partnership using effective programming that will in turn influence the greater community.”

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Jewish Women International (JWI) is the leading Jewish organization working to end violence against women and girls domestically and internationally. JWI is a Steering Committee member of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women and convenes the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, and is a member of the Gun Violence Table. JWI’s advocacy efforts focus on the passage of legislation that supports women and girls, ensures their economic security, and protects their right to live free of violence.  

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JWI to Bring Comfort to Women Living in Domestic Violence Shelters on Mother’s Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

CONTACT
Meredith Jacobs, VP Communications
direct: 202.464.4803// cell: 301.529.8591

Washington, D.C. – This Mother’s Day, women fleeing abuse will receive bouquets of flowers and financial literacy resources through Jewish Women International’s (JWI) Flower Project.* More than 40,000 women and children find safety in domestic violence shelters every day. Since 1999, JWI’s Flower Project shows the women spending Mother’s Day in domestic violence shelters that they are remembered and loved and provides financial literacy resources to help them rebuild their lives and create safe homes for their children. 

“Our Mother’s Day Flower Project gives women living in domestic violence shelters a chance to spend a moment away from the daily worries of housing, safety, employment, and their health and well-being, by lifting their spirits and letting them know that people they’ve never met before are thinking about them,” Vivian Bass, chair of JWI’s board of trustees, says. “These survivors strive every day to build better lives for themselves despite countless obstacles and overwhelming adversity. A bouquet of vibrant flowers can mean the world for women who are most in need of love.”

Each $25 contribution allows JWI to send a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card to the honoree of the sender’s choosing. Proceeds from the sales of cards are used to send bouquets of flowers and specially developed financial literacy resources to 200 domestic violence shelters across the country. JWI supports these safe spaces through its Flower Project and National Library Initiative, which establishes children’s libraries in homeless and domestic violence shelters. The funds raised through the Flower Project sustain JWI’s programs and advocacy and education initiatives, which empower women and girls and seek to break the cycle of domestic and sexual violence.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14.

“With a donation to JWI’s Flower Project, you are not only honoring the special people in your life by telling them they’ve inspired you to help women in need, but you’re also bringing happiness to women and children struggling to move forward and build a better future,” JWI CEO Lori Weinstein says. “This small gesture of kindness helps inspire optimism and renewed faith for survivors of domestic violence.”

To learn more about this important project, or to make a donation and send a card, visit jwi.org/flowerproject or call 800.343.2823.

*Please email Meredith Jacobs if you would like to be connected to shelter staff in your area. 

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Jewish Women International (JWI) is the leading Jewish organization working to end violence against women and girls domestically and internationally. JWI is a Steering Committee member of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women and convenes the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, and is a member of the Gun Violence Table. JWI’s advocacy efforts focus on the passage of legislation that supports women and girls, ensures their economic security, and protects their right to live free of violence.