Nature Explore Classrooms to Help Domestic Violence Survivors Heal

Posted by on July 02, 2012

Mary Kay Foundation Invites Applications for Nature Explore Classrooms to Help Domestic Violence Survivors Heal
Deadline: August 1, 2012

The Mary Kay Foundation and Mary Kay, Inc. have partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation to bring Nature Explore Classrooms to domestic violence shelters.

Nature Explore Classrooms are outdoor learning spaces designed to include nature in the daily lives and learning of children. Research shows that nature can help soften the impact of life stress on children and help them deal with adversity.

By the end of 2012, Mary Kay will have sponsored seventeen Nature Explore Classrooms to help child survivors of domestic violence heal from abuse — representing a combined donation and support of nearly $800,000 since the program’s inception in 2009.

Mary Kay is accepting applications to build four new Nature Explore Classrooms at women’s shelters in the United States. Shelters that serve survivors of domestic violence and have outdoor space available to accommodate learning stations and equipment are eligible to apply.

Along with the outdoor area, each classroom includes a multi-faceted curriculum to fully maximize the educational opportunities and healing effects of the outdoor environment. The classroom is funded entirely by Mary Kay and is an investment totaling more than $50,000.

Visit the Mary Kay Foundation Web site for complete program information and application instructions.

http://www.marykayfoundation.org/Pages/natureexclassrooms.aspx