The Allstate Foundation Empowers Domestic Violence Survivors to Gain Financial Freedom in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial security and access to resources is the number one predictor of whether domestic violence victims will stay or leave an abusive relationship, according to recent research. A new partnership between The Allstate Foundation and the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence will make that choice a little easier. The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program will award $50,000 to the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to support economic empowerment strategies for survivors.

The financial impact for a domestic violence survivor can last for years while the survivor works to repair or build credit, build assets and secure housing, childcare and transportation. In its fifth year, the Moving Ahead Economic Empowerment Grant program provides funding in the areas of financial education, job readiness and training, match savings programs or individual development accounts (IDA) and micro-loans, helping survivors on their path to financial security.  

"Survivors need access to information and strategies that this grant program provides now more than ever to help them on their path to financial freedom," said Jennifer Kuhn, program manager for The Allstate Foundation's Domestic Violence Program. "The current economic climate demands that financial empowerment services be provided on the local level. The Allstate Foundation is proud to support these efforts and help make financial security a reality for many survivors."

The Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence will create a statewide collaborative project addressing economic empowerment issues for domestic violence survivors in rural, suburban and urban communities. The coalition offers financial literacy classes, job readiness/job training, a matched savings program and micro-loans. By offering program participants financial literacy classes, survivors can address the dynamics of economic abuse to build a stable financial future through safety planning and job readiness curriculum, advanced opportunities to participate in a matched savings program, micro-loans and one-on-one support.

The grant program has provided more than $575,000 to ten state domestic violence coalitions this year. As a part of The Allstate Foundation's commitment to ending domestic violence, the Moving Ahead Grant programs have provided more than $15 million in programming and direct support since their inception.

About The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program

The Allstate Foundation's Domestic Violence Program helps domestic violence survivors overcome economic challenges and lead financially independent lives, free from abuse. Through a partnership with the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the program provides a network of financial resources, including a comprehensive financial empowerment curriculum; funds direct services, including education and job training assistance; and spreads the word on how to empower those touched by domestic and economic abuse. For more information and to find out how to help, visit www.ClickToEmpower.org.

SOURCE The Allstate Foundation

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