DTE Energy Foundation Partners with Avalon Healing Center for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

    DETROIT, MI, March 31, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As a way to help aid in the mission to bring awareness – and an end – to a difficult issue many communities face today, DTE Energy Foundation and Avalon Healing Center are joining forces this April – recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month – to make a stand against sexual violence.

"Avalon Healing Center is honored to have the DTE Foundation join us in working to end sexual violence, and we are grateful for the opportunity to leverage their generous support in raising both awareness and dollars to directly help survivors," said Avalon Healing Center's Founder & CEO Kimberly Hurst.

Throughout the month of April, Avalon Healing Center, a Detroit-based nonprofit that provides compassionate and trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual assault, is actively fundraising and accepting donations to help aid in its mission. However, this year, donation efforts are going to another level thanks to the DTE Foundation's $10,000 grant.

"At the DTE Foundation we know the sad truth is that sexual assault has impacted so many of those we know, our friends, family and colleagues," said Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Foundation. "Our partners like Avalon Healing Center are working at the grassroots level to support healing and hope through wraparound services and group support. I encourage everyone to think about how they can make a positive impact and get involved to support Sexual Assault Awareness Month and beyond."

Every 73 seconds someone in the United States is sexually assaulted, and Michigan is ranked second in the country for sexual assaults. Avalon Healing Center is a leader in the field of sexual assault response and a safe place for those affected by sexual violence and human trafficking. Since opening our doors in 2006, Avalon has served over 18,000 survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking.

The DTE Foundation's grant will further assist Avalon in offering free, comprehensive services to sexual assault survivors of all ages. The center has established a holistic healing model focused on supporting survivors at any and all points of their healing and recovery journey, as well as partnering with institutions to improve services provided to and experiences of survivors across systems. This model includes sexual assault response, medical-forensic healthcare, counseling/healing programs, advocacy and social change work, crisis assault response – which is all available 24/7.

Avalon Healing Center works on a local, statewide and national level, serving on several different task forces. Avalon co-led efforts with an interdisciplinary team in 2010 to establish a process for addressing the issue of more than 11,000 untested rape kits in Detroit. The nonprofit supported legislation that codified a state-wide system of transparency and accountability in processing rape kits to ensure the same issue did not occur again. The nonprofit helps with funding for sexual assault services and works with law enforcement on their response to sexual assault and victims' rights. Avalon also plays an integral role in educating other communities on best practice standards around forensic - medical and advocacy services.

To give to Avalon and support their fight to end sexual assault, donate at https://avalonhealing.kindful.com/. Learn more about Avalon Healing Center and its mission, please visit https://avalonhealing.org.

About Avalon Healing Center
Avalon Healing Center is a nonprofit 501(c)3 comprehensive organization that provides compassionate and trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual assault. Avalon Healing Center inspires healing and empowerment for those affected by sexual violence through free and immediate comprehensive services, promotes public awareness, and advances social change.

Avalon Healing Center provides a safe, quiet, and confidential environment with specially trained Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners in order to provide medical examinations and forensic evidence collection for rape victims.

About the DTE Energy Foundation 
The DTE Foundation is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, continuing the legacy of community support and involvement of its electric and natural gas utilities, which serve 2.3 million electric customers in Southeast Michigan and 1.3 million natural gas customers in Michigan. In 2021, the DTE Energy Foundation provided more than $18.9 million in grant support where the company has a business presence with a focus on driving positive, meaningful change on three key areas: jobs, equity and the environment. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE aspires not only to be the best in the world, but the best for the world, serving as a force for growth and prosperity in the communities across Michigan. Visit DTEFoundation.com to learn more.

# # #