DETROIT — The DTE Energy Foundation announced that it will provide $400,000 in grants to all state-approved domestic violence shelters across Michigan, from Escanaba to Monroe, in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. These 44 domestic violence shelters may use the funds to not only support critical services, but also to provide necessary training for the organizations to ensure future viability. Trevor Lauer, DTE Electric president and board member of the DTE Foundation, and Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist announced the gift at the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit Interim House, the largest state-approved domestic violence shelter in Michigan.

The grant includes a $5,000 donation to the Baraga County Shelter Home, a safe haven for survivors in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Baraga County.

“These grants will help thousands of people fleeing from violence, including more than 5,000 children, with both emergency housing and support services to help rebuild their lives” said Lauer. “Survivors often arrive at shelters having been isolated both socially and financially, leaving them without a safety net. The grants will help provide critical services from finding employment and permanent housing to opening a bank account. Equally important, these programs help survivors navigate what can be a very complex criminal justice system.”

In Michigan, more than 2,600 survivors may require some form of assistance on a given day. The support provided by the DTE Foundation will be used by individual organizations to increase the number of families that can be helped and enhance programs to help survivors rebuild their lives.

“We are extremely grateful and thankful to be one of the 44 recipients that received a generous donation from DTE. The $5,000 donation will go a long way towards providing direct services for our clients”, Angie Kolehmainen, Executive Director, Baraga County Shelter Home.

Gilchrist applauded DTE Foundation’s support for domestic violence victims. “Michigan has been a leader in working to end domestic violence, but there is still much more we need to achieve to ensure the safety of our state’s citizens. We are fortunate to have generous philanthropic partners in our state who help us address some of our most challenging societal issues. This DTE Foundation grant will support statewide non-profits so they can provide emergency shelter to domestic violence victims and help these survivors along the journey of rebuilding their lives.”

Local Domestic Violence Shelters To Receive a DTE Foundation Grant Upon Application

Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter, Calumet

Tri County Safe Harbor, Escanaba

Caring House Inc., Iron Mountain

DOVE, Ironwood

Baraga County Shelter Home, L’Anse

Women’s Center/Harbor House, Marquette

About the DTE Energy Foundation

The DTE Energy 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 2.2 million electric customers in Southeast Michigan and 1.3 million natural gas customers in Michigan. In 2018, the DTE Energy Foundation provided $18 million in grant support to non-profits throughout the company’s service territories. As one of Michigan’s leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in communities across Michigan in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. Visit DTEFoundation.com to learn more.