Allstate Foundation Grant Provides Financial Empowerment Services Through the Dove Center
By Markee Pickett
ST. GEORGE — Survivors of domestic violence are often asked, “Why don’t you just leave?” Unfortunately, it’s never that simple.
Financial abuse is the number one reason people stay in abusive relationships, according to The Allstate Foundation — an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence by providing survivors resources and education to become financially independent from their abusers. Thanks to a recent $20,000 grant, our local service provider, DOVE Center, is able to do just that by continuing to offer a financial empowerment class.
DOVE Center provides services to survivors experiencing abuse by offering safe shelter, counseling and support groups, court and hospital advocacy, transitional housing, and more — in addition to helping survivors of sexual assault, sex trafficking, stalking, and dating violence.
The organization’s financial empowerment class is just one of the ways employees help survivors become independent and heal from trauma.
“This class provides building blocks for sound financial understanding and application,” said Bill Bluhm, instructor for the class and former member of DOVE’s board of directors.
Because financial abuse is used as a tactic to control and manipulate, survivors often experience a partner restricting daily spending or giving an allowance; a partner stealing identity, money, credit, or property; a partner not allowing them to work or go to school, and a partner withholding basic living resources like food and medication. According to The Allstate Foundation, 99% of domestic violence cases in the U.S. include financial abuse.
In this class, clients of DOVE Center are able to do the following:
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Set financial goals and personal budgets.
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Learn about the different types of financial institutions, savings, checking accounts, and interest.
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Obtain information on credit and credit scores.
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Learn how to fix credit and properly use credit cards.
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Master smart shopping and when to make large purchases.
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Learn how to manage risk.
“I’ve had ladies come up to me after a lesson and say, ‘I’ve never been taught this before,’” Bluhm said.
This 6-8 week class is offered to survivors, but DOVE Center plans to extend the class to the community in the near future.
“The Allstate Foundation has been a valuable resource, not just for their funding support for victim services,” said Executive Director Lindsey Boyer. “Their awareness efforts help educate survivors and communities about the importance of financial empowerment necessary to combat abuse tactics that can keep abuse survivors financially trapped.”
To learn more about DOVE Center’s financial empowerment class and other resources provided by The Allstate Foundation, you can visit dovecenter.org/financial-
About the DOVE Center: DOVE Center is a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization committed to providing safe, caring and confidential shelter, advocacy, and support for victims of domestic violence, dating violence and rape/sexual assault and to reducing the incidents of abuse through prevention education. For more information, visit www.dovecenter.org.
About The Allstate Foundation: Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation, and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth, and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people’s lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.
