A $100,000 Allstate Foundation Grant Aimed at Preventing Domestic Violence in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Texas Advocacy Project serves as a last resort for women trying to escape the dangerous daily dilemma of domestic violence -- helping more than 8,000 people across the state. The Project has closed more than 6,000 legal cases; often taking on precedent-setting issues that are setting the tone in survivors' legal battles for years to come. A $100,000 grant awarded today from The Allstate Foundation will enable the Project to expand its reach into areas of the state that are in greater need of precedent-setting legal representation.

The Allstate Texas Field Vice President presented the Texas Advocacy Project with a $100,000 check today during the Second Annual Austin Professional Women's Luncheon. This marks the largest grant the Project has received year-to-date and is the second largest private foundation contribution the organization has been given in its 25 year history.

"Allstate is a natural partner for Texas Advocacy Project," said Andrea Sloan, the Project's Executive Director. "We are both in the business of providing safety, peace of mind and security. Allstate's investment in the Project will help us do just that, over the long term, for thousands of Texans in need."

The Project's roots originated with its desire to provide a legal hotline for victims in need and it began with only three volunteer lawyers. Today, that hotline serves more than 10,000 Texans each year and the Project provides a full range of legal services to help survivors. While the Project works closely with domestic violence shelters, those facilities only house 2% of all victims, creating a need to extend the group's reach. The urgency to build a stronger support system for victims in rural parts of the state and Spanish speaking residents is one that the group has long recognized and can now undertake with a helping hand from The Allstate Foundation.

"The Allstate Foundation is taking a stand against domestic violence," said Richard Crist, Allstate Texas Field Vice President. "This grant is an extension of the Allstate Good Hands Promise to help all members of society feel better protected today and better prepared for the future. Together, we are empowering survivors with the opportunity to enjoy economic autonomy and personal freedom."

This substantial grant is centered on The Allstate Foundation's focus areas of Safe & Vital Communities and Economic Empowerment, with particular weight given to the signature program of Domestic Violence Recovery. Through our state grants and national grants earmarked for the state of Texas, Allstate is being positioned as a leader in domestic violence recovery.

About Texas Advocacy Project

Texas Advocacy Project is a statewide non-profit organization providing legal solutions to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. For more about our programs and ways to support our mission please visit our website at http://www.women-law.org/.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,800 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate(R). Encompass(R) and Deerbrook(R) Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.