APPLY FOR FUNDING

*Please note that funding is not always available and we do our best to handle each case on an emergency basis. Currently, there is a waiting list but please don't hesitate to contact us in an emergency and we will do what we can to help.

Fund Background

Robin’s Empowerment Fund is named in honor of Robin D. Shaffer and the many other victims who have suffered in silence. We are honored to be able to empower you to live your "authentic life", the life you were born to live.

We all know a Robin-- she's the girl next door, the woman standing in front of you at the grocery store. She's your sister, your mother, your daughter, your friend, your coworker or maybe even you. It is our hope that Robin’s Empowerment Fund will help prevent more tragic deaths.

Robin’s Empowerment Fund was established to alleviate the financial constraints and burdens that often prevent a victim from escaping abuse. Robin’s Empowerment Fund provides emergency financial assistance of up to $2,000 to victims of domestic violence and their children to meet their immediate needs after escaping an abusive home.

In addition, in times of crisis - such as a domestic violence homicide – Robin’s Empowerment Fund extends its emergency grants to help pay portions of funeral/burial expenses so that families faced with this tragedy can be provided immediate relief.

Since 2006, The Beginning Over Foundation has provided more than $30,000 in emergency financial assistance to families throughout the Lehigh Valley, helping them to establish a new life free of violence.

Eligibility

Any adult survivor of domestic violence is eligible to receive funds. However, a domestic violence survivor must work with a domestic violence shelter/program or domestic violence coalition to submit an application for this fund. There are circumstances when a survivor may qualify for funding without working through or with a domestic violence shelter/program and we encourage you to apply if you can produce evidence to sustain your claim.

The following is a list of fundable expenses:

Moving and transportation costs for victims who are fleeing, such as plane, train or bus tickets, U-Haul rentals, hotels and other travel expenses;

Rent and security deposits for new, safe homes;

Utilities, utility deposits and phone hook-ups;

Medical expenses such as doctor appointments, medication and prescription eyeglasses;

Legal fees and expenses for filing for protection orders, custody agreements and divorce;

Car repairs and transportation needs; and furniture, appliances, clothing and other household goods.

While this list is fairly inclusive, there may be circumstances where a survivor has emergency needs that are not on this list. In these instances, we encourage survivors to apply and clearly explain how the need is related to a survivor's safety.