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Financial Literacy As A Tool To End Domestic Violence

In addition to Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April was also Financial Literacy Month. In honor of that, we want to share how improved financial literacy and economic stability can help victims find safety from an abusive relationship.

Research shows financial stability as the leading indicator of whether a victim will be able to get and stay safe from an abuse so it’s imperative to help domestic violence survivors with their finances.

Shelter House offers classes periodically at the residential shelter and throughout the community using a curriculum developed by All State called “Moving Ahead Through Financial Management”. The curriculum utilizes modules to increase understanding of financial abuse and how to counteract or address its effects.  Topics include budgeting, insurance, identity theft, credit , banking, taxes, and resume building.

Next community class will be May 25, 2019 from 9am-11am at location TBD. For more info on it contact Ana @ 850-243-1201.

The May community class will focus on tips for purchasing a car and basic car care/maintenance. Class participants will learn how to protect their investment by becoming familiar with basic car maintenance taught by a licensed mechanic.



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Shelter House Receives Economic Empowerment Grant

Allstate Foundation supports financial education for survivors and community

(FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.) January 31, 2016 – The Allstate Foundation recently awarded Shelter House a grant for $30,625 to continue its economic empowerment program. Shelter House first received this grant in 2009, and has since earned recognition and offered training to other domestic violence centers on its innovative programs.

“Financial abuse and domestic violence often go hand in hand,” said Rosalyn Iovieno, Executive Director of Shelter House. “Learning about financial tools and strategies empowers survivors to establish new lives with safety plans for themselves and their money.”

Tactics that abusers use to exert control include restricting the victim’s access to money, ruining the victim’s credit, forbidding her to work or even harassing her on the job causing a spotty work history. Shelter House advocates in the WAM! (Women and Money) program work with survivors on budgeting, building savings, repairing credit scores and more through the economic empowerment courses. Shelter House also works with the children of abuse survivors so they learn early in life how to handle their own finances.

While the programs for domestic violence victims are a major focus, Shelter House offers workshops that are free and open to the public as well. The agency will hold public workshops on April 4 and June 25. For more information, call 850-243-1201.