Hubbard House, the domestic violence center serving Duval and Baker counties, is commemorating Domestic Violence Awareness Month and its 35th year anniversary with a $1 million gift from long-time supporter Terry Ward.
The donation will be distributed over the next five years and will help the organization by designating $100,000 a year to the organization’s reserves and $100,000 a year for operating expenses, with a focus on services for children.
“Knowing we can depend on these funds for the next five years is a blessing,” said Hubbard House CEO, Ellen Siler. “Our reserves have been depleted and this will allow us to replenish the reserves and help meet the increased demand for services we have been experiencing.”
Since its beginnings in 1976, Hubbard House has sheltered over 28,000 victims of domestic violence and their children and helped more three times that number through its outreach services. Last year alone, Hubbard House provided emergency shelter, outreach services and batterers’ intervention services to 6,044 individuals.
“I have a real special place in my heart for victims of domestic violence and I know that it touches individuals from all levels of life,” said Ward. “I am proud to make this donation in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in support of Hubbard House and its staff, who continue to work tirelessly to provide much-needed services to our community.”
Ward, who sits on Hubbard House’s board of directors, has been a dedicated supporter of the organization for more than 10 years. Prior to this gift, in addition to operating support, Ward provided significant financial support to the Hubbard House Foundation’s endowment fund, and also helped fund the purchase of a building to house Hubbard House’s Outreach Center.
ABOUT HUBBARD HOUSE: Founded in 1976, Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center providing programs and services to more than 6,000 women, children and men annually in Duval and Baker counties. While Hubbard House is most known for its emergency shelter, the agency also provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, therapeutic child care, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities. Visit www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.