Professional women's attire sought for victims of domestic violence

— The Allstate Foundation is seeking women's suits or professional attire as part of its national Tell a Gal P.A.L. donation drive.

The campaign, which takes place between today and Oct. 9, is being hosted in conjunction with National Domestic Violence Awareness month, which takes place in October.

The donated suits will be given to Peace at Home Family Shelter to help outfit domestic violence survivors with confidence as they enter or re-enter the workforce and get back on their feet financially. Nearly new suits and professional attire that are cleaned and interview-appropriate will be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the Allstate Insurance Company, located at 4000 N. College Ave., Suite B, in Fayetteville.

Tell a Gal P.A.L. stands for, "pass it on, act and learn." The program encourages people to talk freely about domestic violence, as well as its economic impact. It also urges area residents to take steps to protect their personal and financial safety, regardless of whether they've been part of an abusive relationship. Finally, the campaign aims at empowering the community by providing people with education, knowledge and resources.

The Allstate Foundation created the Economics Against Abuse Program to help domestic violence survivors overcome economic challenges and lead financially independent lives, free from abuse.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control, one in four women report being abused by a husband or partner in their lifetimes. A 2009 poll commissioned by the Allstate Foundation further reveals that more than seven out of 10 Americans know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.

For more information or for a list of additional donation drop-off locations, visit www.ClickToEmpower.org.

News, Pages 2 on 09/28/2009

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