(Naples, Florida) — The Shelter for Abused Women & Children announces a charitable gift of $5,400 from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. The funds will be used to support critical initiatives focused on primary prevention education at Collier County Public Schools and Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) activities throughout Collier County.

The grant will help support The Shelter’s Primary Prevention programs, which educate youth attending Collier County Public Schools about the signs of unhealthy relationships. These school-based programs are vital in equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to build safe, respectful relationships, helping to stop the cycle of abuse before it begins.

Additionally, the funding will directly support The Shelter’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month initiative in October. Some of the activities being planned include a candlelight vigil, the Immokalee Peace Fair, and the March to End Domestic Violence, all of which aim to raise awareness, honor survivors, and bring the community together in solidarity against domestic violence.

“We are deeply grateful to Suncoast Credit Union for their continued investment in the safety and well-being of our community,” said Linda Oberhaus, CEO of The Shelter for Abused Women & Children. “This grant allows us to reach more students with life-saving education and to create powerful spaces for healing, advocacy, and awareness throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”

Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s largest credit union, founded the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to promote the education, health, and emotional well-being of children in the community. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card; the credit union donates two cents to the Foundation to fund local initiatives. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has raised and donated over $45 million.

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by domestic violence and human trafficking. Its mission is to lead and collaborate with the community to prevent, protect, and prevail over domestic violence and human trafficking.

Founded in 1986, The Shelter has a longstanding history of helping those in need within the community. They began as a small refuge and have expanded into a comprehensive resource center, addressing the complex issues surrounding domestic violence and the need for various types of assistance.

Key initiatives of The Shelter include two emergency shelters for survivors and their families, counseling services, legal advocacy, and educational programs focused on prevention and awareness. They also offer outreach services and community engagement activities to promote a better understanding of domestic violence and human trafficking, empowering individuals to break the cycle of abuse.

Overall, The Shelter remains dedicated to building a society where people can live without fear of violence.

About Suncoast Credit Union

Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $18.5 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $45 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.