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Winner of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund - January 22, 2008
Wanda Huff Honored with $5,000 Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund Award
January 22, 2008

Stockbridge, Georgia Resident Wins Cash Award To Launch Employment Training Program For Domestic Violence Survivors


(New York, NY, January 22, 2008) Stockbridge, Georgia resident Wanda Huff, 45, is one step closer to fulfilling her dream of creating a better tomorrow for her community. Wanda was named this week's winner of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, a weekly $5,000 cash award program from Avon Products, Inc. to support individuals in their work to empower women. Wanda's award will help to launch The Hope Program - an employment training program at a new shelter for women fleeing domestic violence.

Women living in abusive situations often lack marketable job skills and are prevented from gaining needed skills. Those who are fortunate enough to flee a dangerous environment often find themselves ill-equipped to secure financially sound employment to support themselves and their families, and they are often forced back into the abusive situation and a renewed cycle of violence. Skills as basic as computer literacy, resume preparation, and interviewing can provide a solid foundation toward gainful employment that will help end this cycle.

A domestic violence survivor herself, Wanda knows and understands the depths and strength of the cycle of violence: her mother was also a victim of abuse. Wanda left her abuser and ultimately established a violence-free life for herself and her children. Since breaking out of the debilitating and demoralizing life of abuse, Wanda has become an example of successful, independent living. Her goal now is to offer concrete support and skills to other women who have experienced domestic violence. She explains, "I have dreamed of being strong enough to help other women who suffer as I once suffered."

With the help and support of her community, Wanda left her unsafe situation and was able to build a career as an account manager. She believes that having attained marketable employment skills was a key factor in the achievement of her new, safe and successful life. It is with this in mind that in August 2008, Wanda will open Mary's House of Hope - named for her mother - a fulltime safe haven shelter for women and their children.

Thanks to her Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund award, Wanda will be able to realize her dream for women in her community with the launch of the Hope Program at Mary's House of Hope. The Hope Program will function as a vital job skills training program for residents, including training in basic computer literacy, resume preparation, interviewing and more, providing the women with basic skills to help secure employment and financial independence. Wanda will utilize the funds to purchase four desktop computers, printers, software and training materials, and she and local volunteer human resource experts will help train and teach program participants. By launching a program that will empower victims of domestic violence to move beyond their circumstances, Wanda will empower women to prove to themselves and their families that they can end the cycle of violence and survive and thrive without their abusers.

Wanda's winning application to the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund fell under the category of "Community Service." Her proposal met the criteria to clearly present unique and achievable objectives to empower women or girls and ultimately improve society. It was selected from a pool of strong contenders by an expert panel of judges, including Suze Orman, America's most recognized expert on personal finance. "Very simple and straightforward," noted Orman of Wanda's proposal. "Wanda's dream is one we should make a reality."

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