The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program: Background
& Information
Domestic Violence
A National Crisis. Nearly 25% of women report
abuse by a partner during their lifetimes. 74% of Americans
personally know someone who is or has been a victim of abuse.
Domestic violence poses a threat to the safety and security of
women and their families. Despite its pervasiveness, many people
find domestic violence a difficult subject to discuss openly. As a
result, this public health and social crisis is often an
underreported and overlooked.
Economic Abuse. Economic abuse involves
controlling a victim's ability to acquire, use or maintain
financial resources. Though it occurs in many forms, economic abuse
can include an abuser preventing his partner from working or
accessing bank accounts, credit cards or transportation. Financial
stability is central to a victim's ability to live free from
abuse.
- Approximately 6 out of 10 Americans strongly agree that the
lack of money and a steady income is a challenge faced by a
survivor of domestic violence when leaving her/his abuser.
- Experts report that abusers employ economic control to prevent
victims from leaving dangerous situations.
The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program
Commitment. The Allstate Foundation is
dedicated to national initiatives that confront domestic violence
by economically empowering survivors. The Allstate Foundation
has:
- Provided over $15 million in grants to domestic violence
organizations and survivors nationwide;
- Developed the Moving Ahead Through Financial Management
Curriculum Grant Program to address safety concerns and financial
planning;
- Provided grants to state domestic violence coalitions, local
programs and individual survivors;
- Supported economic advocacy services.
Meeting the Need. Financial security is the
number one predictor of whether or not a victim of domestic
violence will get free and stay free from abuse.[1] Yet, there are few programs designed
to assist domestic violence victims and survivors with the economic
challenges they face. To fill this gap, The Allstate Foundation
developed its Domestic Violence Program. We are working to overcome
the barrier that domestic violence poses to the personal safety and
financial security of victims and their families.
Empowering Survivors. The Allstate Foundation
Domestic Violence Program empowers domestic violence survivors with
the resources, knowledge and skills they need to achieve economic
empowerment and live free from abuse.
Expertise and Collaboration. As the corporate
foundation of a financial services company, The Allstate Foundation
is uniquely equipped to provide the highest quality financial
services to those who need them. In partnership with the National
Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. (NNEDV), a leading national
domestic violence organization, The Allstate Foundation puts their
financial expertise to use to bring economic empowerment services
to survivors of domestic violence.
A Unique and Comprehensive Approach. The
Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program provides a
comprehensive network of services for domestic violence survivors
and advocates, including:
- Direct Services. The Allstate Foundation
provides the Moving Ahead Through Financial Management Curriculum;
Allstate employees, agents and personal financial representative
volunteerism; and grant programs that address the economic needs of
survivors.
- Thought Leadership. The Allstate Foundation
supports domestic violence advocates and service providers through
national conferences, research and other events.
- Public Awareness. The Allstate Foundation
facilitates a national effort to raise public awareness and change
societal attitudes about domestic violence and economic abuse.
The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program's
Moving Ahead Through Financial Management
Curriculum provides a comprehensive package of
financial tools and information to empower victims to work towards
financial independence. Advocates and Allstate volunteers are
trained to work with survivors of domestic violence as they move
forward on the path to financial security. The curriculum includes
approaches for locating and accessing local, state and national
financial resources. In addition, the curriculum provides tools to
help people of all incomes and earning power work toward long-term
economic empowerment. Finally, to address safety concerns,
information about how individuals can protect themselves personally
and financially while remaining in an abusive relationship and
after leaving an abusive relationship is also included, as well as
strategies to:
- Address the challenges of ending a financial relationship with
an abusive partner.
- Access economic empowerment resources used nationwide,
including individual development accounts, micro-enterprise
development programs and emergency assistance funds.
- Deal with the misuse of financial records.
- Work through the challenges of building or rebuilding
credit.
Women & Finance
Several high-profile studies have uncovered the fact that more
and more women, especially as they become older, are not educated
or prepared to take care of themselves financially. The majority of
women rely on their husbands, partners or families when it comes to
handling finances. The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence
Program is designed to help women achieve economic empowerment and
prepare them for a bright, financially-secure future by providing
them with the appropriate educational resources to help them regain
their independence. Below are general facts regarding women and
finance that support the need for this program.
- 93% of women say that saving for retirement is their primary
goal. However, 47% are not contributing to a financial plan. 55% of
women say they are not prepared for retirement.[2]
- 58% of female baby boomers have less than $10,000 in
retirement.[3]
1% of women consider themselves experts in financial knowledge.
62% consider themselves as having adequate knowledge.[4]
The Allstate Foundation: Background & Information
- Founded in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent
charitable organization funded by contributions from subsidiaries
of The Allstate Corporation.
- The Allstate Foundation brings the resources, skills, people,
and reputation of Allstate to support innovative and replicable
solutions that enhance individual well-being and prosperity.
- The Allstate Foundation is dedicated to fostering safe and
vital communities where people live, work and raise families.
- The Allstate Foundation believes in thriving, viable
communities. Residents should have access to economic resources and
knowledge to make informed decisions about their financial
future.
- The Allstate Foundation believes that a strong community is one
that recognizes and values people of varied backgrounds, including
ethnicity, gender, physical challenges, age and lifestyle.
Contact Information
To learn more about The Allstate Foundation, visit
allstate.com/foundation. For more information on The Allstate
Foundation Domestic Violence Program, visit ClickToEmpower.org or
contact:
The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program:
For general information:
Kyle Donash
847.402.7893
kdonb@allstate.com
|
For information regarding grant
availability:
Madeline Halperin-Robinson
847.402.7586
mhalp@allstate.com |
If you are a survivor of domestic violence or are currently
experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National
Domestic Violence Hotline to receive support and discuss your
options at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TYY).