May 20, 2020

United Way

Community Partner

United Way is engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide. They are focused on creating community-based and community-led solutions that strengthen the cornerstones for a good quality of life: education, financial stability and health.

We recently received a generous Emergency Assistance fund from United Way for $30,000 to help get through COVID-19.

 COMMUNITY ACTION STOPS ABUSE, INC. (CASA) TO RECEIVE

$30,000 IN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FROM UNITED WAY SUNCOAST

Pinellas County, Fla. (April 16, 2020) – Community Action Stops Abuse, Inc. (CASA) is committed to ensuring that victims of domestic violence and their children in Pinellas County have access to shelter. CASA is pleased to announce that United Way Suncoast, is providing the nonprofit $30,000 in emergency. The funds are part of a more than $1 million of COVID-19 emergency assistance from the United Way Suncoast’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund being distributed to human services agencies across the Suncoast to support housing/shelter, food, childcare, financial stability and mental health services.

“Since the outbreak of COVID-19 countries around the world have reported increased incidents of domestic violence. While many communities in the US are enacting ‘safer at home’ orders in response to the pandemic, we know that for people living with abusive partners, home is not a safe place,” said Lariana Forsythe, CASA’s CEO. “This support from United Way Suncoast comes at a critical time as we continue to provide our essential services to survivors and prepare for the inevitable increase in domestic violence cases during this time of social isolation.”

CASA will use the funds to provide emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children at their center that can serve more than 100 victims at a time with beds, cribs, and trundle beds. The shelter also has a 24/7 crisis hotline and computers for survivors to research local community resources, find housing when they exit the shelter, look for work, or upgrade their skills. The center also provides activities and childcare for children residing at the shelter.

“It is our job to raise funds, awareness of need, and mobilize volunteers for the critical services needed during this crisis. United Way Suncoast is proud to partner with CASA. This funding is immediately being put to work to support victims of domestic violence and their children in our community” says Jessica Muroff, CEO United Way Suncoast.

About CASA:

CASA is Pinellas County’s certified domestic violence center. CASA’s mission is to challenge the societal acceptance of all forms of domestic violence by standing up to silence through advocacy, prevention, and intervention services.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call CASA’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline (727) 895-4912 | TTY (727) 828-1269. Outside of Pinellas County call (800) 500-1119 | TTY (800) 621-4202

To learn about United Way click here.