*Please note that funding is not always available and we do our best to handle each case on an emergency basis. Currently, there is a waiting list but please don’t hesitate to contact us in an emergency and we will do what we can to help.

Fund Background

In June 2005, Robin lost her life at the hands of her abusive husband. Less than twenty four hours after Robin escaped to live a life free from abuse she was murdered. Based on her estranged husband’s past and not knowing his history of previous abuse Robin felt she had no reason to fear for her life. Tragic and devastating, Robin’s family found out that her abuser was a repeat domestic violence offender who once tried to kill his first wife. Tragically, Robin lost her life to a single gunshot to her neck at close range. Robin’s memory will live on through the great work of the Beginning Over Foundation, a monument to her and many others who have lost their lives to this epidemic.  Please remember Robin and all the others as you apply and complete this application for funding through Robin’s Empowerment fund.

Robin’s Empowerment Fund is named in honor of Robin D. Shaffer and the many other victims who have suffered in silence. We are honored to be able to empower you to live your “authentic life”, the life you were born to live.

We all know a Robin– she’s the girl next door, the woman standing in front of you at the grocery store. She’s your sister, your mother, your daughter, your friend, your coworker or maybe even you. It is our hope that Robin’s Empowerment Fund will help prevent more tragic deaths.

In addition to perpetrating physical, psychological and emotional abuse, abusers often financially control their victims — forcing them to quit their jobs, giving minimal allowances to pay for household needs, and taking steps to ruin their credit. As a direct result, many victims lack the financial resources necessary to flee and establish a life free of violence.

Robin’s Empowerment Fund was established to alleviate the financial constraints and burdens that often prevent a victim from escaping abuse. Robin’s Empowerment Fund provides emergency financial assistance of up to $2,000 to victims of domestic violence and their children to meet their immediate needs after escaping an abusive home.

Since 2006, The Beginning Over Foundation has provided more than $30,000 in emergency financial assistance to families throughout the Lehigh Valley, helping them to establish a new life free of violence.

Eligibility

Any adult survivor of domestic violence is eligible to receive funds. However, a domestic violence survivor must work with a domestic violence shelter/program or domestic violence coalition to submit an application for this fund. There are circumstances when a survivor may qualify for funding without working through or with a domestic violence shelter/program and we encourage you to apply if you can produce evidence to sustain your claim.

Application Submission Guidelines

The Beginning Over Foundation will only accept Robin’s Empowerment Fund applications from survivors of domestic abuse. We encourage any survivor who has worked with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose core mission is to provide services to victims of domestic violence to supply a letter of support.

501(c) (3) organizations that submit applications on behalf of a survivor should clearly articulate any programs the survivor has completed along with any other important information. Robin’s Empowerment Fund strives to offer a helping hand up to any survivor who is working toward self reliance.

The following is a list of fundable expenses:

Moving and transportation costs for victims who are fleeing, such as plane, train or bus tickets, U-Haul rentals, hotels and other travel expenses;

Rent and security deposits for new, safe homes;

Utilities, utility deposits and phone hook-ups;

Medical expenses such as doctor appointments, medication and prescription eyeglasses;

Legal fees and expenses for filing for protection orders, custody agreements and divorce;

Car repairs and transportation needs; and furniture, appliances, clothing and other household goods.

**The Beginning Over Foundation has added our Beauty School Scholarship to Robin’s Empowerment fund for any survivor of domestic abuse. Check out our link to Purple Salon & Spa for more information.

In addition, in times of crisis – such as a domestic violence homicide – Robin’s Empowerment Fund extends its emergency grants to help pay portions of funeral/burial expenses so that families faced with this tragedy can be provided immediate relief.

While this list is fairly inclusive, there may be circumstances where a survivor has emergency needs that are not on this list. In these instances, we encourage survivors to apply and clearly explain how the need is related to a survivor’s safety.

The Beginning Over Foundation will disburse grants up to $2,000 per application. The same survivor may not apply for more than one grant. Please note that it may take up to a month to be notified of our decision. If the financial need is urgent we will make provisions to accomodate any survivor when necessary. Applicants who did not receive funding one month may be eligible the next depending on the urgency of other applicants. Please also note that Robin’s Empowerment Fund does not always have funds available, you will be notified when funding is open.