NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 160 nonprofits participating in the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® Challenge are calling on the public to raise funds for services such as legal counsel, emergency shelters and financial assistance, which help domestic violence survivors recover from abuse. The national Purple Purse Challenge starts Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 27.

One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. In 98 percent of cases, victims will suffer from financial abuse, which means their abusers will deny them access to money and financial resources. Without resources of their own, victims are often unable to care for themselves and their families, find employment and housing, or save for the future.

On an average day, nearly 11,000 requests for emergency shelter, childcare and other services go unanswered due to a lack of funding at domestic violence nonprofits around the country. Even as demand for their services increases, these programs continue to operate with limited resources.

Through the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge at PurplePurse.com, each participating organization can raise program funds.  And to encourage public donations, the Allstate Foundation is investing $500,000 in Challenge sweepstakes and contests. When the month-long fundraiser concludes on Oct. 27, the public can continue to donate to Purple Purse nonprofits through the end of the year at PurplePurse.com.  

"Participating in the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge really pushed us to 'up our game.'  We learned more creative ways both to raise awareness around issues of domestic violence and to increase our visibility in the communities we serve," said Karen Singer, president/CEO of the YWCA Evanston/North Shore, a 2014 Purple Purse Challenge participant. "Through the Challenge, our donor base has expanded and we have raised much-needed funds for abuse survivors."   

"As siblings, friends, partners and parents, we need to take a stand against domestic violence. And as we do so, victims will feel empowered to reclaim their lives," said Vicky Dinges, senior vice president, corporate responsibility, Allstate Insurance Company. "The Purple Purse Challenge is about ensuring domestic violence services reach women who need them. Victims need to know there is hope and understand that they're not alone - help and support are available."

In addition to donating through the Challenge, Purple Purse charms can be purchased for $10 at PurplePurse.com, with proceeds benefiting Purple Purse Challenge nonprofits. Kerry Washington's limited-edition purse is available exclusively at select Saks Fifth Avenue locations as well as Saks.com. For more information, please visit PurplePurse.com.

The Challenge is part of the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse public awareness and fundraising effort aimed at helping domestic violence survivors achieve long-term safety and security. The purse represents the center of a woman's financial domain, and purple is the national color for domestic violence awareness.  

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

About The Allstate Foundation:

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people's well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people's lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.

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SOURCE The Allstate Foundation

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