Jessica Lee of Kia Autosport of Pensacola is passionate about giving back to her community. With the launch of “KIA CARES IN THE COMMUNITY” Campaign, Kia Autosport of Pensacola will conduct six campaigns per year highlighting and support an area nonprofit.
This mission-driven initiative is to raise awareness of these organizations and give back through the Kia dealership and its social media.
This month, KIA CARES IN THE COMMUNITY highlights FavorHouse of NWFL, Inc.
In the mid through late seventies, a task force recognized the need for housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. To address that need the Task Force on Spouse Abuse was formed under the guidance of the YWCA. In June 1979, the Spouse Abuse Task Force became the Favor (Family Anti-Violence in Organized Response) House Advisory Council, a program of the YWCA. Because of the quick growth of the program, it was soon necessary for the program to be its own non-profit organization the following year.
For 43 years, FavorHouse has provided new beginnings for the people of Northwest Florida by providing a myriad of services like housing, counseling and support, financial workshops, and community education on domestic violence.
Sadly, the domestic violence statistics are staggering with one in every three women and one in every four men experiencing abuse by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Domestic violence-related homicides are also on the rise.
The statistics on teen dating are also shocking. 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults. And nearly half (43%) of U.S. college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors. There is also a phenomenon of digital dating abuse, in which technology is used to bully, harass, stalk, or intimidate a partner.
Fortunately, there is an option for getting help and services through FavorHouse of NWFL, Inc. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, do not hesitate to call the local hotline at 850-434-6600. It is open and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Last year, FavorHouse provided 8,706 shelter nights for 291 individuals. 420 people received free legal services and 364 received counseling and outreach services. Favor House also provides education and empowerment, including education on teen dating. https://www.favorhouse.org/teendating
FavorHouse operates two shelters in our community for victims who need housing after leaving a domestic violence situation.
Many of the victims, primarily women who are often with children, have to leave situations quickly. Typically they arrive at FavorHouse with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.
With that in mind, the main goal of KIA CARES IN THE COMMUNITY for FavorHouse is to help provide SELF-CARE ITEMS to be available to these victims.
You, too, can support FavorHouse in three simple ways:
- Help spread awareness about what FavorHouse does (like their page, share posts, volunteer, engage)
- Donate to the KIA CARES IN THE COMMUNITY campaign in the dealership on Pensacola Blvd. or via their Amazon Wish List here: https://ow.ly/p3RZ50Pp87K
- Stop by Kia Autosport in August and FILL the white laundry baskets in the showroom with personal care items for the victims of domestic violence.
