FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Connie Neal, Executive Director
cneal@nyscadv.org
518-482-5465
August 24, 2021
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Albany, NY — The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV) is providing economic empowerment grants to Brighter Tomorrows, Inc., Korean-American Family Service Center, and The Retreat Inc. to support survivors of financial abuse. NYSCADV received funding for the third year in a row through the Allstate Foundation’s “Moving Ahead” program.
Connie Neal, Executive Director of NYSCADV, said, “In the last two years of launching the economic empowerment project in New York State, domestic violence advocates were able to assist more than 740 survivors working to overcome financial challenges and build financially independent lives. NYSCADV and sub-recipients were able to train over 1,600 advocates on financial education. Additionally, 33 survivors of domestic violence received matched savings as a form of asset building through programming offered by Brighter Tomorrows. As the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic continue, NYSCADV is very pleased to continue this project to reach more survivors of domestic violence throughout the coming year.”
Each of the three domestic violence advocacy programs will receive an annual award of $21,250. The agencies’ programming will be based on the “Moving Ahead Curriculum” developed by the Allstate Foundation and the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
Dolores Kordon, Executive Director at Brighter Tomorrows, said: “We are so pleased to be a sub-recipient of the Economic Empowerment funds through the Allstate Foundation again this year. We will continue to use these funds to target typically underserved survivors. Our partnership with NYSCADV is key in this endeavor. The Project Coordinator has secured the Moving Ahead curriculum in Urdu to ensure our success with Muslim, Middle Eastern and South Asian survivors. We look forward to offering match savings again as it has proved to be instrumental in our client’s quest for independence.”
Loretta Davis, Executive Director at The Retreat, said: “The Retreat is thrilled to be a recipient of this award because it will enable individuals to gain financial knowledge that they will have for a lifetime. Learning about budgeting, debt reduction and being equipped with a new resume, cover letter and interview skills is the kind of knowledge that transforms lives. Survivors will be able to live sustainable, independent lives as a result of this funding! This is the kind of hands-on knowledge that is needed.”
Jeehae Fischer, Executive Director at the Korean American Family Service Center, said: “KAFSC is grateful to be a recipient of this award through the Allstate Foundation. This fund will make a positive impact on the lives of our survivors by providing essential knowledge on financial literacy. And through the knowledge, our survivors will lead a healthy, sustainable, and financially independent life. This significant support will help KAFSC to expand enrichment of our services and continue to directly support our immigrant survivors of gender-based violence.”
The Korean American Family Service Center intends to combine the Moving Ahead grant with their Economic Empowerment Program and provide culturally competent and comprehensive trainings to Korean/Asian immigrant survivors. They will also focus on credit building and job readiness/consultation for survivors. Brighter Tomorrows will use its funding to train Muslim, Middle Eastern and South Asian survivors in a partnership with Domestic Harmony, a local program in Long Island, and will continue its match savings program. The “Take Charge” program of The Retreat educates and coaches survivors in budgeting, investment, debt reduction, and improving their credit score. Additionally, they will provide sessions on resume/cover letter writing and interviewing skills for survivors to secure new or better employment opportunities.
Follow this link to download the Press Release.
About the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
Founded in 1978, NYSCADV is a statewide nonprofit organization working to create and support the social change necessary to prevent and confront all forms of domestic violence. NYSCADV is designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the information clearinghouse, primary point of contact, and resource center on domestic violence for the State of New York. NYSCADV is responsible for supporting the development of policies, protocol, and procedures to enhance domestic violence intervention and prevention and also provides education and technical assistance to the network of domestic violence service providers statewide. For more information about NYSCADV, visit www.nyscadv.org.
