Washington, D.C. – The premier international Jewish women’s organization working to end domestic and sexual violence against women and girls, has launched its annual Mother’s Day Flower Project, an initiative that for the past 15 years has honored and paid tribute to the brave women and children living in domestic violence shelters across the country.

“Our Mother’s Day Flower Project gives the 35,000 women and children living in domestic violence shelters a chance to spend a moment away from the daily worries of housing, safety, employment and their health and well-being, by lifting their spirits and letting them know that people they’ve never met before are thinking about them,” says Susan W. Turnbull, chair of Jewish Women International’s board of trustees. “These survivors strive every day to build better lives for themselves despite countless obstacles and overwhelming adversity, and a bouquet of vibrant flowers or a basket of cosmetic products can remind them that they are loved.”

Each $25 contribution allows JWI to send a Mother’s Day card to the woman of the sender’s choosing as well as send bouquets of flowers and baskets of OPI beauty products to domestic violence shelters. JWI has established relationships with more than 200 domestic violence shelters across the country, which it supports through projects including its Flower Project and the National Library Initiative, which establishes children’s libraries in homeless and battered women’s shelters. The funds raised through the Flower Project sustain JWI’s programs and advocacy and educational initiatives, which empower women and girls and seek to break the cycle of domestic and sexual violence.

Since the Flower Project was established in 1999, an average of 6,500 women and children a year living in domestic violence shelters across the country have been positively impacted by the project’s Mother’s Day delivery of bouquets and beauty products. Over the 15 years of the program, an estimated 100,000 women and children have been touched, encouraged and inspired by the project.

Domestic violence shelters serve more than 64,000 victims every day, providing a safe haven to more than 35,000 women and children and non-residential assistance and services to 29,000 victims.

“With a donation to JWI’s Mother’s Day Flower Project, you are not only honoring a special woman in your life by telling her she’s inspired you to help women in need, you’re also bringing happiness to women and children struggling to move forward and build a better future,” says JWI Executive Director Lori Weinstein. “This small gesture of kindness helps inspire optimism and renewed faith for victims of domestic violence.”

Donors can choose to send paper cards by mail or e-cards through email. Both senders and honorees are also given the opportunity to write messages of hope to women and children living in shelters, to be printed on a poster and delivered to each partner shelter shortly after Mother’s Day. The 2012 poster can be viewed on JWI’s website.

Flower Project cards can be ordered at jwi.org/fp or by phone at (800) 343-2823. The deadline to order cards to ensure they arrive by Mother’s Day is May 3. JWI is encouraging supporters to help promote the project by using the Twitter hashtags #MDFP and #MothersDay and sharing their own photos of flowers at JWI’s Facebook page.
Jewish Women International is the leading Jewish organization empowering women and girls through economic literacy, community training, healthy relationship education, and the proliferation of women’s leadership. Our innovative programs, advocacy, and philanthropic initiatives protect the fundamental rights of all girls and women to live in safe homes, thrive in healthy relationships, and realize the full potential of their personal strength. Learn more at jwi.org , facebook.com/jewishwomeninternational and twitter.com/JewishWomenIntl .