Allstate - You're in good hands

10/09/2007 NORTHBROOK, Ill. -

The Allstate Foundation awarded $500,000 in grants to 10 state domestic violence coalitions today to extend its support of economic empowerment services for domestic violence survivors. Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate's President and Chief Executive Officer, announced the grants at The Allstate Foundation's 3rd Annual Economic Empowerment Conference for domestic violence advocates in Chicago, Ill.

"We are proud to continue our financial support to help victims of domestic violence," said Wilson. "Through The Allstate Foundation grants we continue to help domestic violence survivors, so they can have a safe and economically independent future."

The grants and conference are just two components of The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program, which has provided more than $3 million in funding to national and state domestic violence organizations since 2005. In alliance with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund and its affiliated state coalitions, The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program provides knowledge and skills - particularly those related to financial security and economic empowerment - to support survivors of domestic violence.

"Economic control is one of the most effective ways an abuser prevents a survivor from leaving," verified Sue Else, Executive Director of NNEDV. "This is why the Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program is so important - it provides critical resources and financial support to create innovative programs that directly help survivors face the tough economic challenges of beginning a new life, free from violence.

Domestic violence survivors often face significant financial obstacles stemming from their abuse. Many survivors have been removed from the workforce for years; prohibited from pursuing higher education and job training activities; or must repair credit damaged by their abuser. Through initiatives like the Education and Job Training Assistance Fund, and a groundbreaking financial literacy curriculum that is in the process of being implemented across the country, The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program is filling a gap in domestic violence funding and resource provision.

The 10 new $50,000 grants were awarded to the following state domestic violence coalitions, to enhance already existing economic empowerment programs or build new ones throughout their respective states:

• Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Georgia State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Kentucky Domestic Violence Association
• Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
• New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Tennessee State Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
• Texas Council on Family Violence
• Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
• Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

To learn more about the economic empowerment programs being implemented in each of these states, please contact Jennifer Kuhn, Program Manager for The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program, at (847) 402-7811 or jkuha@allstate.com. Information can also be found at www.econempowerment.org.

About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote "safe and vital communities"; "tolerance, inclusion, and diversity"; and "economic empowerment." The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream. For additional information, visit www.allstate.com/foundation.

About the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund is a 501©(3) tax-exempt social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions. The NNEDV Fund is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. The NNEDV Fund accomplishes these goals through capacity building for coalitions, public education, training, and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates. The NNEDV Fund strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements. For more information about the NNEDV Fund, visit www.nnedv.org

Contacts:

Jennifer Duda
The Allstate Foundation National
(847) 402-7805

Cheryl O'Donnell
Network to End Domestic Violence
(202) 543-5566