Becky’s Fund is a 501c(3) public charity focused on the prevention of domestic violence through youth engagement and providing post-incident support to survivors and their families. **** While the #metoo and #timesup movements illustrate how common gender-based discrimination and violence is, they also have allowed those who were afraid before to come forward to seek help. What these stories have taught us is that we all share a responsibility in changing the culture that has made these tragic incidents so prevalent. At Becky’s Fund we believe this change starts by teaching our youth how to be more conscious, empathetic, safe, and engaged citizens. We work on preventing the escalation of violence through our youth prevention programs, Men of Code and Becoming Your Own Heroine.

Civil Rights , Philanthropy , Private Independent Foundations , Women , Womens Rights

****Issue: Domestic Violence is a gendered crime and problem where the majority of perpetrators are men and boys. Our Solution: Men of Code works with male student athletes and their coaches to transform them into allies and leaders in ending and preventing domestic violence through education, mentorship, and real life skills workshops such as financial literacy, brand development, and public speaking. We have reached over 750 students in our Men of Code program and plan on working with 200 more young men in 2019. ****Issue: 50-80% of teens know a peer who is in a violent relationship and nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their relationship continue to date their abuser. Our Solution: Supported by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Girl Scouts, Becoming Your Own Heroine trains and educates women aged 9-18 years old on dating violence and expression through music and art, while empowering them to become self-confident and change agents in their own lives and communities. Over the last 7 years of the Becoming Your Own Heroine program, we have reached over 1,000 young girls. ****Issue: The highest rate of dating violence occurs between the ages of 16-24 years old. Our Solution: National Domestic Violence College Tour has reached over 55 college campuses and over 11,000 students in the country, teaching both young men and women how to recognize the warning signs of an abusive relationship, how to personally become safe from an abusive relationship and how to help a friend get help. ****Issue: 50% of women living in D.C. experience psychological aggression perpetrated by an intimate partner. Our Solution: While many often blame the victim by asking "why don’t they leave," Becky's Fund instead helps empower these survivors through Survivor Support, assisting them to leave when they are ready and supporting them in areas ranging from extraction, financial literacy, and legal support. We partner with organizations to help survivors and 120+ families per year find an attorney, housing, job placement, mental health support, childcare and more.