WHEN GEORGIA SMILED: THE ROBIN MCGRAW REVELATION AND DR. PHIL FOUNDATION SELECTS NEWHOUSE FOR $15K GRANT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Newhouse, Kansas City’s first domestic violence shelter, has been awarded a $15K grant from the When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation and Dr. Phil Foundation. Funds from this grant will support the much-needed renovation of the Children’s Center for Education, Innovation & Healing located onsite at the shelter. Approximately 50 percent of those served at Newhouse are children.

Robin and Dr. Phil McGraw have been longtime advocates for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, speaking frequently about these issues on the Dr. Phil show and through the mission of their foundation, When Georgia Smiled.  “It is an extreme honor to have been chosen as the Kansas City shelter to partner with When Georgia Smiled to carry out our like mission for adults, children and families to live a life free of domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Newhouse President & CEO Courtney Thomas.

Newhouse is asking the community to step forward to match this generous grant to address the critical repairs needed in the Children’s Center for Education, Innovation & Healing. Roof leaks have created issues with flooring, walls and casework, all of which must be replaced.

Newhouse operates with the smallest budget of any domestic violence shelter in the metro area, yet provides 88 beds of safety each night, as well as healing therapy, court advocacy, transitional housing, substance abuse support and the resources to help clients reach a place of self-sufficiency. Newhouse serves women, children and men who have experienced the trauma of domestic violence. 

“Phil and I are in awe of all Newhouse has been able to accomplish over the last nearly 50 years on such a limited budget,” said Robin McGraw. “When Georgia Smiled is honored to support their important work and the lives they are transforming. We believe in the mission of Newhouse, their team and mostly in the brave survivors they are serving. Our goal is for this to be just the beginning of a long-term partnership.”

We believe in the mission of Newhouse, their team and mostly in the brave survivors they are serving. Our goal is for this to be just the beginning of a long-term partnership.

The lifesaving services Newhouse provides are needed now more than ever with domestic violence calls up more than 22 percent year-over-year during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Domestic violence knows no socioeconomic, racial, educational or gender boundaries. It’s a community problem that impacts all of us and takes us all working together to solve. Our children’s services at Newhouse are critical to interrupt, stop and break the cycle of domestic violence. These essential repairs allow us to continue to provide a place of safety, healing and learning for the children and families we serve,” said Newhouse President & CEO, Courtney Thomas.

The Children’s Center for Education, Innovation & Healing is part of the shelter’s extensive children’s program.  “Newhouse is grateful for this generous gift from Robin and Dr. Phil McGraw and When Georgia Smiled, and we hope the Kansas City community will step forward to help us double the impact of this generous gift,” says Courtney Thomas, President/CEO. 

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About Newhouse

Every day, Newhouse provides shelter and protection for up to 88 survivors of domestic violence, including men, women and children. A safe-haven for those fleeing abuse for 49 years, Newhouse provides emergency shelter, food, clothing, children’s services, an onsite school, mental health services and much more. Together, we are building a stronger tomorrow. Discover more: NewhouseShelter.org

About When Georgia Smiled

When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation and Dr. Phil Foundation is devoted to helping advance organizations and programs that serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and individuals facing crisis to live healthy, safe and joy-filled lives. We also support communities that have been severely affected by disasters. Discover more: whengeorgiasmiled.org.