"This is something we've wanted to do for some time," said Helga West, President and CEO, Witness Justice. "We applaud Target for recognizing that this vulnerable population has unique needs, and for providing the necessary support to help us achieve this goal."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 70 percent of adolescents are estimated to fall victim to violent crime, more than any other age group. In addition, many teens want the ability to talk about domestic violence in their home and to access help, but are concerned about the consequences of sharing their personal struggles with teachers or school counselors because of reporting requirements. Witness Justice will use the grant funding from Target to address gaps in services and to develop timely, practical information for teens.

"This will be a collaborative effort," West added. "We will seek input and expertise from a wide range of experts so that we can bring the best tools, information, and resources to teens in Frederick County and beyond."

"At Target, we are making a real difference every day through our grantmaking program," said Laysha Ward, Vice President, Community Relations, Target. "We're proud to partner with Witness Justice as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work."

Witness Justice is a national, grassroots nonprofit organization created by survivors for survivors. Our mission is to empower and assist victims of violent crime and their loved ones through both the trauma healing and criminal justice processes. Witness Justice provides direct services for victims in Frederick County and across the country, offering support regardless of where a victim lives, when or where the crime occurred, or whether the crime was ever reported. For more information, please visit us at www.WitnessJustice.org.

Target gives back more than $2 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests, and team members to help meet community needs. Additionally, Target team members and retirees donate more than 300,000 hours to more than 7,500 projects each year