For over 60 years, the Avon Foundation for Women has been a driving force behind charitable, scientific, educational and humanitarian work that improves the lives of women and their families. Avon is “the company for women” and they have demonstrated this time and again with their longstanding commitment to women’s issues.
Each year the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade hosts AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer. This event is a 39.3 mile walk over two days to fund local, regional and national breast cancer organizations. Since 2003, the walk has helped the Foundation raise over $550,000,000 to assist in the fight to end breast cancer.
The Foundation has also made it their laser focus to end violence against women through initiatives such as their newest funded project, The Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence. This is an innovative and interactive multidisciplinary training and technical assistance course that brings together national judges, court officers, public prosecutors, police officers, and representatives of government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Since its launch they have funded and launched Institutes in Brazil, India, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines and South Africa, and announced new funding in March 2016 for additional Institutes in Argentina and Colombia, as well as returning Institutes in India and South Africa by the end of 2016.
“Our efforts to eradicate breast cancer and end domestic and gender violence worldwide have helped move these issues out of the shadows and into the public dialogue. And as attitudes continue to change – from fear and isolation to knowledge, action and empowerment – so do the lives of countless women everywhere.”
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Running a foundation as far reaching as this does not come without its challenges. One of the biggest, says Christine Jaworsky, Program Director, is that “there is so much need for support, not only here in the U.S., but also across the world. Avon Products Inc., operates in 70 markets worldwide, and while each country is unique when you consider the local customs and traditions, violence against women and breast cancer isn’t.”
Christine attributes the Foundation’s longevity and ability to meet this challenge to its steadfast focus on two causes; violence against women and breast cancer. By strategically focusing on core causes that fit with their organization’s mission, they are able to make and even greater impact and keep employees engaged with the issues they support. “It’s easy to engage Associates when they feel so strongly about Avon’s causes, and we make it easy for them to participate,” she says. “They can see the immediate impact of their efforts.”
FrontStream is proud to partner with such a powerful foundation that is making a huge impact in the lives of women around the world!
