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Becky’s Fund Awarded Booz Allen Foundation Innovation Fund Grant

ENDOVI Mobile Phone Application selected to receive funding for innovative solution to pressing issue caused by COVID-19 pandemic

Washington, D.C., October 22, 2020: Becky’s Fund is excited to announce a partnership with Appnector LLC to create ENDOVI, a mobile phone application which will provide safe, silent support to survivors of domestic violence. The creation of ENDOVI is made possible by a grant from Booz Allen Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to convening diverse stakeholders to solve challenging social issues. Established to support the development of creative solutions to address the wide-ranging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Booz Allen Foundation Innovation Fund selected Becky’s Fund and their solution, ENDOVI, along with 20 other teams from more than 3,000 applications this past summer.

One in three women and one in four men are impacted by domestic violence. Domestic violence does not discriminate based on age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Domestic violence is defined by a pattern of actions and behaviors used to maintain power and control over another person and can include verbal, mental, physical, and financial abuse.

People often wonder why survivors of domestic violence don’t “just leave” their abusive relationship or hesitate to get help. Sadly, there are several factors which prevent someone from easily leaving their abusive environment. Not only does it take immense courage to leave an abusive relationship, statistically, the most dangerous time for a victim is when they physically try to leave. The Department of Justice states that a woman is 75% more likely to be killed when she actually leaves the abusive relationship. Other barriers that prevent one from leaving an abusive relationship include not knowing where to go for safe housing, being financially dependent on the abuser, feeling too embarrassed to ask for help, and not knowing what resources are available for help.

In March, at the start of Covid-19 stay-at-home mandates, many survivors were trapped at home with their abusers. Increased calls to hotlines demonstrated this shadow pandemic not only locally in DC but globally, as the World Health Organization reported Member States seeing up to a 60% increase in emergency calls from abused women when compared to rates in April 2019. Numbers began to fall in June and July, revealing the true and dangerous impact of domestic violence during Covid-19. Survivors have been afraid to call and seek help because they cannot do so safely without their abuser finding out. If they do need medical attention, they are often waiting until the last minute to seek medical assistance to avoid an escalation of violence. This fear coupled with the stressors of lockdown, such as financial strain, unemployment, isolation from friends and family, and fear of getting Covid-19, has caused many survivors to feel hopeless, mentally drained, and stuck.

In response to the increase and impact of domestic violence during Covid-19, Becky’s Fund developed ENDOVI as a solution and tool to support survivors during this shadow pandemic.  Using technology and a mobile phone platform created by Appnector, ENDOVI will be an access point to the resources available to survivors who need help. Without safe access to resources, without guidance on everything from housing to finances, and without an exit plan, leaving the only home you know can be a daunting, terrifying, and even deadly choice.  But ENDOVI will help change the future for survivors, allowing them to discreetly and safely begin their exit out and journey to freedom. ENDOVI will connect survivors with mental health support, important resources like shelter, an advocate, and a lawyer and allow the use of technology safely without having to risk elevated abuse often caused when the abuser finds out about calls for help. Upon its launch, ENDOVI will have an immediate impact as more than 24 people are impacted by domestic violence per minute. To receive an alert when ENDOVI is live please visit beckysfund.org or email endovi@beckysfund.org.

About Becky’s Fund

Since finishing in third place on the show Survivor: Cook Islands, Becky Lee has been turning victims of domestic violence into real life survivors. With her winnings from the show, Becky Lee founded Becky’s Fund in 2006 – a public charity dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence that passes from generation to generation, home to home and campus to campus.

BECKY’S FUND is a nonprofit organization working to end domestic violence through service, education and advocacy. We provide emergency support services and resources for those in need. Our interactive workshops for young men and women – MEN OF CODE, BE YOUR OWN HERO and NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COLLEGE TOUR – are focused on healthy relationships, prevention and empowerment. Through these programs and our signature fundraiser, WALK THIS WAY, we work to end the devastating effects of domestic violence today and for future generations.

PRESS CONTACT:
Alina Alekseyev, Alina.Alekseyev@gmail.com

About The Booz Allen Foundation
The Booz Allen Foundation was formed in 2017 as an independent 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. It serves as a convener of diverse stakeholders from the private, public, academic, and social sectors to solve challenging social issues through innovation and technology and build community resilience from the ground up. For more information visit https://boozallenfoundation.org.

For a full list of Booz Allen Foundation Innovation Fund winners, visit https://boozallenfoundation.org/innovationfund/

Booz Allen Foundation Innovation Fund
Amanda Allison-Martini, Allison_Amanda@bah.com

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and this year’s theme is “I Ask.” This SAAM, let’s keep the conversation going with #IAsk to show the importance of consent in everyday life.

Consent is vital when it comes to healthy relationships. However, consent isn’t just about sex. It includes respecting the boundaries of people in your daily life. Consent means that you respect the personal and emotional boundaries of friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, and sexual/romantic partners regardless of the situation. Everyone has different boundaries and no one should ever feel pressured to do something they don’t want to do. That’s why asking for consent is critical.

Ending sexual assault and domestic violence starts with individuals. Everyone can make a difference by making a conscious effort to incorporate consent into everyday life. Before making a decision that may cross someone’s boundaries, remember: “I Ask!”

Check out our facts below to learn more about this issue:

Washington, D.C. (April, 2019) Becky’s Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing and preventing domestic violence, announced today that it was awarded the $15,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life.

This generous grant will help Becky’s Fund expand its educational prevention-based program, Men of CODE, to include financial literacy programming for male youth across Washington D.C. Men of CODE stands for Men of Character, Ownership, Dedicated to Leading by Example. The goal of Men of CODE is to empower high school athletes to become positive role models and allies to women and girls in ending domestic violence.  Men of CODE has helped over 500 male athletes at schools across the District of Columbia through education, access to resources, and mentorship.  Topics ranging from consent, mental health, bystander intervention, and the importance of healthy relationships are covered in this prevention program.

“We are excited to begin this partnership with New York Life as they invest in Men of CODE, which enables us to work with young men to better equip them with skills and tools to make decisions that will impact their futures,” said Becky Lee, Executive Director of Becky’s Fund. “With the incredible support from New York Life, we will be able to provide crucial financial education and mentorship for young men across Wards 7 and 8 who are facing some of the direst conditions in D.C.”

Financial illiteracy is a leading contributor to tension and abuse in relationships as well as a determining factor in leading a successful personal life and career. By learning about personal finance, how to make smart decisions about money, and how to financially plan for the future, these student athletes will increase their likelihood of attaining career success, ensure that they have the tools to manage their financial futures, and help to reduce the likelihood of financial strain on their future relationships. Moreover, these male student athletes will grow their sense of confidence and self-assurance that will provide long-term benefits for themselves, their families, and their community.

The Community Impact Grant program awards grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations which are championed by New York Life agents and employees to serve the needs of their local communities. Since the program’s inception in 2008, more than 500 grants totaling nearly $7 million have been awarded to nonprofits across the country.

Save the Date! Charity Off the Hook is on April 22!

Becky’s Fund is proud to partner with Charity off the Hook to help raise funds to fight domestic violence.

Charity Off The Hook returns to The Tavern At Ivy City Smokehouse for their annual seafood fundraiser benefiting regional charities. Their mission, alongside sustainable seafood distributor ProFish, is to connect with local charities and host an annual celebration to raise funds for a variety of causes.

Becky’s Fund is proud to stand with Charity Off the Hook in this year’s fundraiser. Order your tickets today to take part in this seafood celebration. Support Becky’s Fund with the promo code: BECKY when buying your tickets! That way, part of the proceeds from your purchase can go directly to Becky’s Fund to help the mission of fighting domestic violence.

With each ticket, you get experience fantastic local food and all-you-can-drink wine, beer, and spirits. Enjoy a hand-rolled cigar from Castaneda Cigars while you experience live entertainment provided by Matt Waller, live music from Side by Side, and street magic by Matthew Furman. And if that’s not enough, enjoy guilt-free gambling with “funny money” casino tables.

Buy your tickets now at https://www.charityoffthehook.com