Molly Maid Supports Victims of Domestic Violence

In 1995, Molly Maid, Inc. Founder David McKinnon was home sick with pneumonia. For nearly a month, he and his wife, Karen, were home recovering as the televised O.J. Simpson murder trial began. The events described during the trial were an awakening about America’s most under-reported crime and unfortunate outcomes.

Over the next year, the McKinnons and Molly Maid franchise owners started the Ms. Molly Foundation, which is a non-profit charitable cause that raises awareness about domestic violence and support for its victims.

The United States Department of Justice defines domestic violence as, “…a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.”

Among national statistics, did you know?

• 25% of women will be a victim of domestic violence sometime in her life
• 30–60% of those who abuse an intimate partner will also abuse children at home
• Children who witness violence are 1,000 times more likely to be an abuser themselves as an adult

You can access the 2011 Census Report by State to find out how many victims requested and received support in your state. The report also shows needs that were unmet due to reasons including limited funding and overcrowding in shelters.

In 2011, the Ms. Molly Foundation raised more than $223,000 and donated it to over 120 domestic violence shelters and agencies around the country. Franchise owners and Molly Maid headquarters’ employees hosted fund-raising events, solicited customers for donations, made personal donations and requested support from our vendors to bring the amount raised to $1.2 million since the Foundation’s inception. A majority of our activities take place during October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. In 2010, we began our Dime-ond Level program and franchise owners can share a percentage of every cleaning throughout the year. The Ms. Molly Facebook page has photos and also shares recent publicity we’ve received.

In February, Molly Maid President Kristi Mailloux and Ms. Molly Foundation Chairperson Danessa Itaya attended the International

Franchise Association’s annual conference. Ms. Molly was one of six charitable organizations featured in their first-ever Franchising Gives Back event, which showcases franchise companies and their philanthropic efforts.

“When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.” — Pauline R. Kezer

This is how Molly Maid gives back, please comment and share your community efforts with us! To support the Ms. Molly Foundation, visit our website to make an online donation.