While coronavirus infection rates rise and fall some Californians are still not safer at home. Blue Shield of California Foundation and Women’s Foundation California recognize that domestic violence is a pandemic in a pandemic. With a new investment of $1.8M to support 130 domestic violence organizations across the state, we intervened in these cycles of violence.
The lockdowns, economic fallout, and gendered impacts of COVID-19 created unprecedented spikes in abuse. Women across California, especially women of color, immigrants, trans, and gender non conforming people experienced joblessness, homelessness, and unsafe environments. Shelters and resource centers responding to calls and trying to create a safe space are stretched to their limits. Through this partnership we are providing every domestic violence organization in the state with critical new resources. This second year of funding deepens our shared investment in this vital work.
While we rebuild and reimagine our state as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, we are committed to working together to build a California free from domestic violence. We need to keep our attention and our resources focused on the people, programs, and policies that will bring about an end to domestic violence. We are currently seeking additional funding partners to expand this necessary work.
Support our Relief and Resilience Fund today.
###
In addition to our partnership with Blue Shield of California Foundation, important shifts in funding are happening at that state level that build new opportunities for a California free from domestic violence. Just last month, Governor Newsom signed into law the Fiscal Year 2021-22 state budget, which includes $15 million for domestic and sexual violence prevention and $100 million in one-time funding for victim services to backfill looming federal cuts to victim services programs.
About Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation supports lasting and equitable solutions to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence. When we work together to remove the barriers to health and well-being, especially for Californians facing the biggest barriers, we can create a more just and equitable future. For more information, visit: www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.
About Women’s Foundation California
The Women’s Foundation California is a statewide, publicly supported foundation dedicated to achieving racial, economic, and gender justice by centering the experience and expertise of communities most impacted by systemic injustice. For the last 40 years, we’ve worked to invest in, train, and connect community leaders. We do this by providing grants to community-led organizations, training feminist leaders through the Solís Policy Institute, and fostering a network of advocates, donors, policymakers, grant makers, and academics to transform the political landscape of California. Learn more at www.womensfoundca.org.