The Rape and Abuse Crisis Service (RACS) recently received a $20,000 grant from the Mary Kay Foundation to help expand services to more than 1,100 clients.
The grant award was a part of the foundation's annual Shelter Grant program that gives $3 million to roughly 150 domestic violence shelters across the country.
"Our staff, volunteers and clients are so thankful for this grant from the Mary Kay Foundation," Executive Director Jim Clardy said. "We've provided a safe haven for women who have fled abusive relationships for the past 34 years and this grant will go a long way in helping us serve the growing needs of Jefferson City and Central Missouri."
RACS serves 225 women and children annually with the shelter and other services, and nearly 900 others with advocacy and hotline services. The funds received from the Mary Kay Foundation will allow RACS staff and volunteers to provide abuse advocate services that were affected by cuts to funding over the past few years, according to a press release.