NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 2006--The Allstate Foundation awarded $500,000 in grants to 10 state domestic violence coalitions today to extend its support for the economic empowerment of domestic violence survivors. The grants were announced by Allstate's President and Chief Operating Officer Thomas J. Wilson at The Allstate Foundation's second-annual Economic Empowerment Conference for domestic violence advocates in Washington, D.C.

"We are proud to double our financial support to help people affected by domestic violence," said Wilson. "It is our hope that The Allstate Foundation's grants continue to broaden financial opportunities for domestic violence survivors, so that they can prepare for futures of safety and economic independence."

The grants and conference are just two components of The Allstate Foundation's national Domestic Violence Program, which has provided more than $2 million in grants to national and state domestic violence organizations since 2005. In alliance with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund and its affiliated state coalitions, The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program provides knowledge and skills - particularly those related to financial security and economic empowerment - to support survivors of domestic violence.

"Economic control is one of the most effective ways an abuser prevents a survivor from walking away," said Sue Else, President of NNEDV. "This is why the Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program is so important - it provides critical resources and financial support to create innovative programs that directly help survivors face the tough economic challenges of beginning a new life, free from violence."

Domestic violence survivors often face significant financial obstacles stemming from their abuse. Many survivors have been removed from the workforce for years, prohibited from pursuing higher education and job training activities or must repair credit damaged by their abuser. Through initiatives like the Education and Job Training Assistance Fund, and a new financial literacy curriculum that is currently in development and will launch in early 2007, The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program is filling a gap in domestic violence funding and resource provision.

The new grants were awarded to the following 10 domestic violence coalitions, to enhance already existing economic empowerment programs or build new ones throughout their respective states:

-- Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence

-- Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence

-- Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence

-- Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence

-- Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

-- New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

-- Texas Council on Family Violence

-- Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

-- Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance

-- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

To learn about the economic empowerment programs being implemented in each of these states, please contact Angela Cobb, Program Manager for The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program, at (847) 402-5026.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote "safe and vital communities"; "tolerance, inclusion, and diversity"; and "economic empowerment." The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream. For additional information, visit www.allstate.com/foundation.

About the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions. The NNEDV Fund is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. The NNEDV Fund accomplishes these goals through capacity building for coalitions, public education, training, and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates. The NNEDV Fund strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements. For more information about the NNEDV Fund, visit www.nnedv.org.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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