One Family’s Path to Economic Security

By Kelly Yost Harper Shelter Outreach Plus Veronica* dialed 9-1-1 while huddled in a closet, arms around her children, as her husband, John, threatened through the door to kill her. Authorities arrived, and as they warned John to “calm down,” Veronica slipped out the back with her children and convinced a neighbor to drive them to a local church. The church secretary made a call and before the stars came out, Veronica and her kids were safe and warm in one of Shelter Outreach Plus's emergency shelters....

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At Family Services of Tulare County, Economic Workshops Make Connections for Survivors

By Erica Tootle Family Services of Tulare County  Gaining power and control over an intimate partner is at the core of domestic violence, and abusers often employ financial abuse tactics to entrap a victim in the relationship.  With support from the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and the Allstate Foundation’s Building Opportunities for Survivors’ Success (B.O.S.S.) program, Family Services of Tulare County has implemented an economic empowerment program with residents at its Karen’s House emergency domestic violence shelter and its Supportive Housing progra...

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Asset Building for Survivors

By Partnership Staff  Advocates know that even after domestic violence survivors leave violent relationships, there are many obstacles standing between them and long-term stability. Economic insecurity--the challenges survivors face in rebuilding their financial lives--is one of the most difficult to overcome. That's why advocates are increasingly turning to asset building as a strategy to set survivors on the path to economic solvency. Asset building is the means by which individuals increase both their financial assets--like salary and savings--and tangible assets, such as cars and property. Focusing on building their assets in the...

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Using B.O.S.S. to Empower Survivors

By Ana Chavez & Jessica Mondragon RISE in San Louis Obispo County On January 30, 2014, RISE staffers attended a Building Opportunities for Survivors’ Success (B.O.S.S.) training in Visalia. During the training we received tools, including folders and worksheets, which both clients and advocates can use. With the materials from the Allstate Financial Empowerment curriculum, we have been able to help build individualize case plans for each client as they work toward financial independence....

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BOSS in Review: In Their Words

  The Partnership’s Building Opportunities for Survivors’ Success (B.O.S.S.) Program is a regional initiative launched with support from the Allstate Foundation....

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