The Genieve Shelter kicked off Domestic Violence Awareness Month by receiving a donation from Spectrum at its administrative office off Pruden Boulevard in Suffolk.

Spectrum donated $7,500 to The Genieve Shelter through the company’s national community philanthropic program, Spectrum Employee Community Grants. This grant has provided funding for more than 290 local nonprofits in 31 states across the country’s service areas since starting in 2019. 

“This is the second year we have been able to provide an employee grant to the shelter,” said Stephanie Richin, communications manager at Charter Communications. Spectrum is a trade name of Charter. “I want to give a thank you to our wonderful employees that give back to make this donation possible. Corporate gives the donation in their name, and it’s great to fund their passions through this grant.”

This grant works by having a Spectrum employee nominate a nonprofit they have volunteered with for at least a year. Hearn, who has volunteered with the shelter for a decade, nominated The Genieve Shelter for 2020 and again in 2021.

“Our company has a grant that they use to give back to communities all over the United States and last year I nominated The Genieve Shelter and got a grant for $1,000,” said Hearn. “After COVID, they extended the offer and that’s how we got the $7,500 this year.”

The Genieve Shelter provides services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking and stalling in Suffolk, Smithfield, Franklin, Surry, Southampton and Isle of Wight. Services include providing a safe environment to give information, education and training services to end the cycle of violence.

According to Montgomery, the money donated will be used towards operating costs. Due to COVID-19, the shelter can no longer house as many families and now sends them to local hotels and helps them from there by providing food and services. 

“We’re honored to receive this,” said Marleisa Montgomery, executive director for the Genieve Shelter. “We want to show appreciation to Chris Hearn, because he’s going out of his way to help us for over 10 years. On behalf of the board and of The Genieve Shelter, we want to thank him and Charter for their support.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this month the shelter is promoting its Dollar-A-Day Campaign. Those who would like to support are encouraged to donate $1 a day for the month of October to support the agency’s mission to end the cycle of violence.

For more information or to donate, visit https://thegenieveshelter.org/news/dollar-day-campaign-2021.