Mary Kay Foundation Donates 20K

The Hope House domestic violence agency got an early Christmas present this month: A $20,000 grant from the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, the giving arm of the Mary Kay cosmetics empire.

The grant was one of $3 million given to 150 domestic violence shelters in all 50 states, but it will make a big difference here at home, said Hope House Executive Director Ellen Allen.

This year the organization expanded its children's program, hiring a full-time advocate to teach kids about personal safety and protect and counsel the area's youngest victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. They did it, Allen said, before they were sure they'd have the funds to support it.

"We just felt like if we're ever going to make a real difference in the long-term effects of domestic violence we need to do more with kids," she said. "It was a leap of faith."