The Eva Lee Parker Fund

Our Mission: To disrupt the impact, biases, and stigma surrounding intimate partner violence in our communities.

Our Vision: Every Black survivor is valued, supported, safe, and respected.

We are currently applying for our 501(c)3 status and will update the page when completed. No monetary donations will be accepted at this time.

The Eva Lee Parker Fund was created by her granddaughter, Melody Gross. On the surface it would not seem like a stay-at-home mother and her entrepreneur granddaughter would have something in common but they are both survivors of domestic violence.

Our Initiatives

  • The Fund - providing emergency financial support for Black victims of IPV.

  • Community Programs - to learn about the impact of DV on our communities. Workshops, panels, and discussions.

  • Survivor Programs - includes quarterly mini-retreats, workshops, and coaching.

  • The Reclaim You Tote Bag - provides emergency necessities for survivors to escape abuse located throughout the community.

  • The Convening - Annual convening of organizations and supporters of addressing DV in the Black community.

Our Guiding Principles

  • Our work is trauma-informed and survivor-centered

  • Our work is intersectional and inclusive

  • Our work fosters empathy and compassion

  • We are survivors, not victims

  • We prioritize self-care and those we love

  • We create brave spaces for understanding and learning

  • We actively work to dismantle white supremacy

Why is this fund needed?

  • 94-99% of domestic violence survivors have also experienced economic abuse.

  • 21-60% of people who experience intimate partner violence lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse.

  • Survivors can experience employment-related abuse, inability to access existing funds, and coerced debt. 

  • Survivors also experience broken doors and windows, car damage, and other unexpected financial burdens.

  • Black women are three times more likely to experience domestic violence than white women.

This fund will provide financial support for Black women who are currently experiencing abuse by an intimate partner. The funds can be used for:

  • travel to escape

  • car maintenance and gas

  • broken items in the home

  • other non-discretionary needs

The goal is to relieve some of the financial burdens placed on Black women who are experiencing domestic violence; as financial abuse is a major barrier to leaving. Funds will be distributed via a payment method of the recipient’s choosing. Requests will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

For more information or partnership opportunities contact Melody Gross at EvaLeeParkerFund@CourageousSHIFT.com. Donations are tax-deductible.