Actress Mariska Hargitay and the Joyful Heart Foundation Join philosophy to Serve Women in Crisis Throughout Los Angeles County

November 9, 2009, Santa Monica — Actress Mariska Hargitay and the Joyful Heart Foundation joined philosophy on Saturday to raise awareness about the need for domestic violence support services throughout California by building healing and wellness kits for women in crisis shelters. Enough kits were created to give one to each of the estimated 600 women currently being served in one of Los Angeles County's domestic violence shelters.

"Our goal is to shine a light on this issue, and to send a message of compassion, encouragement and hope to survivors of domestic violence," said Joyful Heart Foundation's Founder and President, Mariska Hargitay.

Facing one of the worst state budget crisis in history, California's domestic violence services budget has been drastically cut, forcing many shelters to turn away or cut services to families in need.

"As a result of the elimination of state shelter funding, six facilities have closed and dozens of others have had to scale back the services they offer to domestic violence victims and their children," said Tara Shabazz, executive director of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. "CPEDV and our allies are continuing to work to see full funding restored to our state's shelters. We are deeply grateful to the Joyful Heart Foundation and philosophy for the care they are showing to those we serve."

To respond to the crisis, philosophy and the Joyful Heart Foundation brought together more than 75 volunteers, including Hargitay, her celebrity friends, advocates, survivors and supporters to assemble "healing and wellness kits" for the women. The kits are designed to meet the immediate needs of women in shelters and also to inspire them with a sense of joy and possibility amidst this crisis.

"We anticipate that these kits will bring women hope and comfort during a difficult time," said Karolyn Stayer of philosophy. "The Joyful Heart Foundation is dedicated to supporting women through the healing of their mind, body and spirit which is right in line with philosophy's core values."

The kits include:

• a personal message from Mariska Hargitay
• philosophy's joyful heart charity shower gel
• Beyond Yoga, Liz Claiborne and Michael Stars apparel
• a journal from Compendium
• Tote bag, provided by art of grace
• Terry Cloth Robe by Baltic Linen
• a LUNA bar
• a Joyful Heart Foundation water bottle and publication "Reunion" 

The kits are being distributed to shelters throughout Los Angeles County in the coming days.

To help philosophy raise funds for the Joyful Heart Foundation, log on to www.philosophy.com and purchase the joyful heart shower gel or other joyful heart products. One hundred percent of net proceeds of every purchase are donated to the Foundation. For more information on the Joyful Heart Foundation visit www.joyfulheartfoundation.org 

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About philosophy

philosophy is a lifestyle brand that celebrates feeling well and living joyously and wants to inspire its customers to live a better life by being better to themselves. Long before the "doctor" skincare brands of today, there was philosophy. Born from biomedic, the acclaimed medical company that pioneered some of today's most popular in-office treatments such as the micropeel, philosophy skincare has long been recommended by dermatologists and plastic surgeons around the country. philosophy is an international skincare and cosmetic company founded in 1996 and headquartered in phoenix, arizona. For more information please visit our website at www.philosophy.com.

About the Joyful Heart Foundation

Founded in 2004 by advocate and actress Mariska Hargitay, the Joyful Heart Foundation's (JHF) mission is to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues. Since 2004, over 2,000 survivors have participated in Joyful Heart's pioneering retreat and wellness programs, thousands more have taken that first important step to get help through our website, and our participation in national educational and media awareness campaigns has planted the seeds of a changed awareness in the lives of millions. This year alone, the Foundation will directly serve over 2,000 survivors.