WEST ENGLEWOOD — A group that operates two Englewood shelters for abused women and their children hopes the recent conversations about Ray Rice and domestic violence inspire Chicagoans to help people in their own neighborhoods.
The West Englewood United Organization is among five Chicago nonprofits that began competing Sept. 2 for a $100,000 grand prize from the Allstate Foundation's "Purple Purse Challenge," an annual fundraising campaign for charities that help domestic violence survivors.
"People are back having conversations about domestic violence because of the Ray Rice incident," Allstate Foundation spokesman Kyle Donash said, referring to the NFL player caught punching his fiancee on tape. "All of the organizations competing have a financial empowerment program to help abused women who may have suffered financially."
Ebonee Weaver is one of those women. The 20-year-old mother of a 1-year-old daughter and 1-month of son has lived at Clara's Place, an Englewood shelter for abused and homeless women, for two years after ending her relationship with her boyfriend in January. She said he abused her both physically and verbally.
Weaver, who is jobless, said she plans to start school in January and wants to become a pharmacy technician.
"The best thing a woman can do in this situation is to take her kids and leave because when a man hits you, that is not love," Weaver said. "There are places out here that can help you start over."
Rosilind Sculfield, executive director of the united organization, said there are more women like Weaver at the shelter who need help getting back on their feet.
"If we win this money, it would go a long way in helping our shelter residents," Sculfield said. "That's why I am asking anyone with a kind heart to please help us."
The other four Chicago organizations competing for the money are Apna Ghar, Between Friends, YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, City-Wide Tax Assistance, Connections for Abused Women, and Latin Women in Action.
In total, 140 organizations nationally are competing for the top prize, which goes to the organization that raises the most money by Oct. 3. A second-place winner will receive $75,000; third place $50,000; fourth place $25,000; and fifth through 10th-place winners get $10,000.
As of Thursday, the West Englewood United Organization, which runs the Clara's Place and Clara's House shelters in Englewood, raised $755 from online donations. Each week organizations receive a new challenge from the foundation to raise money, and this week all organizations were asked to secure five online donations by Tuesday.
Donations can be as little as $1, and organizations get to keep all money raised over the last month, in addition to any prize money, said Donash, who said the foundation will dole out $650,000 this year.
"Last year, we gave out $350,000 to 30 organizations, but that number has grown tremendously this year," Donash said.
The West Englewood United Organization has maintained both shelters despite having to overcome several financial hurdles last year.
In October, the shelter had its gas service disconnected due to a $21,000 overdue bill. But thanks to an anonymous donor, who paid the past due balance, gas service was restored two weeks later.
NBA player Will Bynum, an Englewood native, paid nearly $3,000 in November to settle a past due electric bill. In March 2013, shelter founder Clara Kirk owed the City of Chicago more than $41,969 in building code fines, but the city settled with Kirk last August for $1,000.
But Kirk, who founded Clara's Place and Clara's House 27 years ago, said either way she knows God will make a way.
"He hasn't let me down yet, so I have no reason to believe he will start now," Kirk said. "He has brought me out of some trying times, so I know my God is able."
Click here to donate to the Engelwood shelters.
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