Domestic Violence

These stories are based upon the experiences of the survivors of domestic violence who are assisted through Moving Ahead funding. To protect the safety and confidentiality of the survivors, names, circumstances, and personally indentifying information have been altered.

Jane

Jane made her dreams of a better financial future a reality. She is a graduate of the Spanish Allstate Financial Literacy Workshop at the Si Se Puede program. Jane credits this workshop and the financial information she received for helping her systematically overcome all the financial barriers that were keeping her from attaining her long-held dream of returning to Mexico to complete the thesis requirements to earn her professional degree. Now, she is living in Mexico and recently completed her International Relations degree. Jane’s plans are to return to the U.S., continue her education, and be able to serve the immigrant community in a professional capacity. She also wants to continue to engage in advocacy efforts with other victim advocates and work to end violence against immigrant and non-immigrant women and children wherever she may be. Jane is a MUSA (Mujeres Unidas Saliendo Adelante -- Women United Moving Forward) leader and a mentor for other survivors.

Kay

Kay didn't want her two daughters to grow up around the violence and substance abuse that was keeping her from taking charge of her life. A presentation about IDAs at OASIS, the domestic violence program, changed Kay’s life. She learned how to budget, saved enough each month to maximize the matching funds, and deposited the majority of her tax refunds into her IDA. She used her savings and matching funds to complete an LPN program and got a job at a nursing facility. She opened a second IDA in early 2009, with the goal of buying a home. Kay also improved her credit score by more than 150 points -- enough to get 4.25% interest rate on her mortgage. In October 2009, Kay and her daughters moved into their brand new 3-bedroom home with a large backyard.  Kay’s story is so inspirational; she has spoken about her experience to TANF administrators at a regional meeting in October in Philadelphia and at an asset-building summit organized by the U.S. Administration for Children and Families in February in Atlanta.  Kay will also be speaking to housing counselors at an Office for Violence Against Women training in Salt Lake City.

Joan

Joan, a single mother, worked hard at her job in a local library, carefully budgeting her small salary to raise her daughter in a stable and secure environment. After her daughter graduated high school, Joan allowed herself the thrill of a whirlwind romance with an attractive and seemingly attentive suitor. He soon proposed marriage to Joan, saying he wanted to take care of her and her daughter. At 53 years old, Joan thought she had met the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. The bliss did not last long. After moving across the country and persuading Joan to give up her job, he spent her savings and isolated her from friends and family. Existing for much of the time in an alcoholic haze, he neglected to pay bills, and Joan's hard earned credit rating became ruined. Then, the beatings started. After her husband held a loaded gun to her head Joan fled with her daughter, found refuge in a shelter, and began to rebuild her life. She is now following her dream of becoming a speech therapist, and The Allstate Foundation provided the essential funds for her books and study supplies. Joan wants to set a positive example for her daughter.