ZCenter Receives Generous Grant Awards From The TJX Foundation

Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (ZCenter) is proud to announce it has been awarded two grant gifts from The TJX Foundation, the charitable arm of The TJX Companies, Inc., parent company of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and other major retail brands. The grants—an initial $5,500 award followed by a $20,000 award—will directly support ZCenter’s Counseling Advocacy and Prevention Education (CAPE) programming, which provides critical prevention education, empowerment workshops, and community training aimed at reducing sexual violence across Lake and Northern Cook Counties.

Unlike many grant relationships built over years, this partnership formed in an unexpected way. An associate of ZCenter CEO Sandy T. Williams, who works for The TJX Companies, saw her on the news discussing ZCenter’s mission and impact. Inspired by the work, the associate encouraged the ZCenter team to apply through TJX’s employee-nominated grant program—an opportunity they would not have otherwise known about.

ZCenter submitted its first application for a $5,500 grant in September. The process was concise yet thorough and approximately four weeks later, in October, ZCenter was notified it had been selected. Shortly after, in early November—just four weeks following the first award—ZCenter received a second notification: a supplemental $20,000 TJX Foundation Grant, awarded on behalf of the HomeGoods Regional Grants Program.

“We are deeply honored and grateful for The TJX Foundation’s generosity and confidence in our mission,” said Williams.. “These grants will significantly expand our ability to reach schools, community organizations, and parents with high-quality prevention education—work that reduces risk, fosters safety, and helps create communities free from sexual violence.”
The combined funding will directly support CAPE’s counseling services, curriculum delivery, facilitator training, outreach initiatives, and the development of accessible, trauma-informed educational materials.

ZCenter extends heartfelt gratitude to The TJX Foundation and to the TJX associate whose recognition and advocacy helped make this transformative support possible. For more information about ZCenter, please visit www.zcenter.org.

About Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center provides free, confidential, and trauma-informed services to survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. Through counseling, medical and legal advocacy, prevention education, and community outreach, ZCenter works to mobilize the community toward a future free from sexual violence.