Impact 100, a group of 100 women in the Richmond, VA area who came together to make a difference in our community, has granted the YWCA of Richmond $100,000 to strengthen the care and support they provide women in our community.

Women who are getting away from an abusive relationship come with questions about where to go, what to take and how to recover. Fortunately this generous grant enables the local YWCA to help answer some of those challenging and emotional questions.

The YWCA of Richmond, led by CEO Linda Tissiere, will be using the $100,000 grant to offer a new type of shelter to women. The money comes from the Impact 100 Big Give—100 Richmond women who each donated $1,000. Together, the $100,000 was donated to the YWCA of Richmond. The money will be used to help the YWCA transition its existing shelter from a community center to individual apartments, giving women a way to escape abusive situations. The apartments will be able to accommodate women, their children and their pets. Individual apartments have proven to be the most effective shelter for domestic violence victims and have been found to help victims heal faster.

Not only am I happy that such a good cause was awarded with such generosity, I'm also proud that Linda Tissiere is a member of my group at the VA Council of CEOs. Linda is a great leader and her group of dedicated employees are clearly making a huge contribution to the Richmond, VA community.

Congratulations to the YWCA, all the YWCA employees and volunteers who sacrifice and toil daily to improve the lives of women and our community. Also, thanks to the women that comprised Impact 100. Clearly you are making a real difference in the lives of others.