Page 10 - 2019 Impact Report for flip book

Leaving an abusive relationship is a process, not an event. On average, a survivor will leave and return to their
abuser seven times before the separation is permanent. Why? There are as many reasons as there are survivors,
but one of the most prevalent is economic dependency. Abusers commonly use finances to gain power and control
over their victims and entrap them in a relationship.
When a survivor leaves an abusive relationship, the likelihood of homelessness, unemployment, and debt is greater,
which increases the probability that she will return to her abuser or access predatory financial resources to escape or
survive. Survivors who have more financial independence from their abusers are more likely to leave for good.

For these reasons, The Shelter provides a variety of educational opportunities through its Economic Empowerment
Program, including building credit, money management, entrepreneurship training and career mapping.

In 2019

• 45 women attended 52 economic empowerment workshops
• 13 participants received micro-grants to help them establish a
small business
• 43 participants received assistance in creating financial plans
• 37 participants received assistance with identifying and securing
employment
• 59 participants received advocacy in matters related to an
employer, creditor, landlord or academic institution

“It feels amazing to be in • 57 participants received advocacy regarding credit scores. Of
control of my own finances those, 29 improved their credit 1-25 points, 10 improved 25-50
and savings account!” points and 10 improved their credit 50 points or more!

1,175 Hours of economic empowerment services provided in 2019

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