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The DTE Energy Foundation continued its mission to support victims of domestic violence in Michigan by awarding another round of grants to 45 state-funded domestic violence shelters in Michigan. This year’s grant amount of $420,000 brings the Foundation’s total commitment to more than $2.2 million over the past four years.

“The tragic consequences of domestic violence are present in every county of our state and every aspect of our daily life,” said Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Foundation. “The DTE Foundation remains committed to supporting these shelters that provide a safe haven to individuals forced to flee abusive relationships or settings. These agencies are a lifeline for victims and their families.”

The grant will be provided to 45 shelters that receive part of their funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Support will be based on bed count and go to critical expenses at each location. Funding also will be used to offer holistic survivor-centric services that include housing, transportation, employment and support for survivors who need assistance with healthcare needs or are struggling to navigate the criminal justice system.

“Many of the people we assist arrive at our shelter having just fled unimaginable violence and fear, with little more than hope for a better life,” said Lori Kitchen-Buschel, First Step executive director. “The funding we receive from the DTE Foundation allows us to provide comfort and shelter to these individuals. Without this funding, some of the adults and children who reach out to us might face additional barriers to their safety and security.”  

“The need for assistance and shelter in our five-county region is great, these critical funds will support programs and services that have positively impacted hundreds of adults and children,” said Gail Kloss, executive director of Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. “Our organization relies heavily on outside support to deliver services to those who have nowhere else to turn. The support we receive from the DTE Foundation allows us to provide immediate assistance to our neighbors in crisis.”

To further support Domestic Violence Awareness Month, DTE team members volunteered to create more than 2,400 hygiene kits that have been delivered and distributed to shelters across Michigan.

The MDHHS notes the support of the DTE Foundation and many other private organizations is essential to meeting the ever-increasing need.

“Our goal is to help our community partners respond to every call, answer every plea and provide comfort and support to everyone who needs it,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director of MDHHS. “We’re grateful those agencies are receiving this generous support from the DTE Foundation.”

Domestic violence shelters eligible to receive DTE Foundation grants 

  1. Catherine Cobb Safe House, Adrian
  2. Hope Shores Alliance, Alpena
  3. SafeHouse Center, Ann Arbor
  4. A.F.E. Place, Battle Creek
  5. Bay Area Women’s Center, Bay City
  6. Children and Family Services of Southwestern Michigan/Safe Shelter, Inc., Benton Harbor
  7. Women’s Information Service, Inc., Big Rapids
  8. Cadillac Area O.A.S.I.S, Cadillac
  9. Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter, Calumet
  10. HDC/Thumb Area Assault Crisis Center, Caro 
  11. Branch County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Coldwater 
  12. YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit/Interim House, Detroit 
  13. Alliance Against Violence and Abuse, Escanaba 
  14. YWCA of Greater Flint/SAFE House, Flint 
  15. YWCA of West Central Michigan, Grand Rapids 
  16. River House, Grayling 
  17. Domestic Harmony, Hillsdale 
  18. Resilience, Holland 
  19. LACASA, Howell 
  20. RAVE – Ionia/Montcalm 
  21. Caring House, Inc., Iron Mountain 
  22. DOVE, Ironwood  
  23. AWARE, Jackson 
  24. YWCA of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo 
  25. Baraga County Shelter Home, L’Anse 
  26. End Violent Encounters (EVE), Lansing 
  27. Lapeer Area Citizens Against Domestic Assault, Lapeer 
  28. Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters, Ludington 
  29. CHOICES of Manistee County, Manistee 
  30. Women’s Center/Harbor House, Marquette 
  31. Shelterhouse/Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Midland 
  32. Family Counseling and Shelter Services of Monroe County, Monroe 
  33. Turning Point, Mt. Clemens 
  34. RISE, Mt. Pleasant 
  35. Every Woman’s Place, Muskegon 
  36. Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, Petoskey 
  37. First Step, Plymouth 
  38. HAVEN, Pontiac 
  39. Blue Water Safe Horizons, Port Huron 
  40. Underground Railroad, Saginaw 
  41. Anishnaabek Community and Family Services, Sault Ste. Marie 
  42. Diane Peppler Resource Center, Sault Ste. Marie 
  43. SafeCenter, St. Johns 
  44. Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, Three Rivers 
  45. Women’s Resource Center Grand Traverse Area, Traverse City