The Women’s Legacy Fund (WLF) Advisory Committee has been reflecting on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls across San Luis Obispo County. One of the most vulnerable populations during this shelter-in-place phase are the families at-risk of domestic partner violence. Therefore, the Women's Legacy Fund has made an emergency $10,000 grant to local nonprofit Stand Strong, to provide much needed support during this pandemic.

When domestic violence survivors are forced to stay in their homes or in proximity to their abuser, it can create circumstances where their survival and safety is compromised. The added stress of lost wages and child care challenges can turn a difficult situation into a dire one. 

Movement restrictions aimed to stop the spread of the coronavirus is making violence in homes more frequent, more severe and more dangerous. Domestic violence goes up whenever families spend more time together, such as the Christmas and summer vacations, according to a New York Times article. According to a warning from the United Nations recently, “Six months of lockdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19 could lead to 31 million additional cases of domestic violence globally.” 

The WLF Advisory Committee knows that our partnership with Stand Strong will allow comprehensive services for survivors of intimate partner violence and child abuse in our community to continue during this pandemic and beyond. We thank our WLF Legacy Leaders and supporters for your continued support.

• Local Support: Stand Strong and RISE
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
• Signal for Help
• Article: Home Is a Perilous Place for Some Californians During Coronavirus Pandemic

Each year, hundreds of Legacy Leaders who have already contributed $1,000 or more to the Women's Legacy Fund fund make an annual contribution of $250 or more to sustain the fund. We are so proud of the progress of the Women’s Legacy Fund. Since 2003, we have granted more than $425,000 to nonprofit organizations across San Luis Obispo County that support women and girls.

By making a gift today and standing with the Women’s Legacy Fund, you are playing a critical role in strengthening and improving lives across our county. Thank you for helping us move the needle forward on supporting women's needs across our county. For a list of current Legacy Leaders click here. If you are uncertain if you have made your WLF gift this year, please email Program Associate Erin McCall at Erin@cfsloco.org.