Signature Project: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention

GFWC is a national leader in the fight to end domestic violence by raising awareness about this social issue. By supporting existing activities, working with various established programs, and initiating educational opportunities for club members and local citizens, the goal of the GFWC Signature Project: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention is to increase awareness of the widespread occurrence of domestic abuse.

Learn more about the Signature Project: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention in the 2010-2012 GFWC Club Manual.

Step Away from Abuse | GFWC Sock Project

Help domestic violence survivors “Step Away From Abuse” by working with domestic violence shelters in your local community by participating in the GFWC Sock Project. Place a pair of new socks in a quart-size, clear plastic baggie. Affix a personalized label with a message of support and encouragement from your club, that reads: “As you begin your new life and Step Away from Abuse, we hope you will find comfort and warmth as you walk into your newly found freedom."

Label Template (Word | Fill-in PDF) Recommended for use with Avery Name Badges 5395 (2.33 x 3.38 inches).

GFWC Success for Survivors Scholarship

Make a difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors around the country by helping them pursue their education and career dreams through the GFWC Success for Survivors Scholarship program.

According to studies, a college degree actually decreases the risk factor for domestic violence, and higher education can help survivors obtain careers with better prospects and futures.

Established to provide domestic violence survivors with a means to achieve financial and personal independence and channel GFWC members’ steadfast commitment to the prevention of domestic violence, GFWC will award eight domestic violence survivors with $1,000 scholarships in June 2012.

The scholarships are funded through your generous support of the GFWC Signature Project: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Fund, which accepts donations from GFWC members, partners, and friends, who are interested in making the difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors.

GFWC hopes to provide support to domestic violence survivors to help them rebuild their lives through personal development, education, increased self-sufficiency, and independence. The scholarship can be used by full or part-time students interested in attending appropriately accredited programs at U.S. education institutions.

A candidate who meets all of the following requirements is eligible to apply:
Survived intimate partner abuse;
Is a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States;
Exhibits strong desire, ability, and determination to complete a training and/or academic program;
Has a definite plan to use the desired training to upgrade skills for career advancement, to train for a new career field, or to enter or reenter the job market;
Is sponsored by a GFWC club wililng to provide support to the student throughout his or her educational experience;
Is sponsored by a nonprofit, domestic violence service agency willin to provide a recommendation for the candidate

Applications must be e-mailed or postmarked to GFWC by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 30, 2012.

Applications are reviewed in order of receipt. The candidate, sponsor agency, and GFWC club will be contacted by a scholarship coordinator during the review process. Complete applications are submitted to the Review Committee for final decision.

The scholarship award can be used for direct-education expenses, such as tuition, books, and fees, paid directly to the educational institution. To ensure that each scholarship recipient has both the backing and support she or he needs to achieve educational goals, this scholarship program requires that each applicant have the recommendation of a sponsoring GFWC Club and nonprofit domestic violence service organization.

Application Process

Application Instructions (Word | PDF)

Application Form (PDF)