Financial Empowerment Grant “a game changer” for DOVE Center
By Leanna Bergeron
Since its inception in 2015, DOVE Center’s Financial Empowerment program has more than doubled the number of survivors served thanks to the continued support from The Allstate Foundation.
In 2017, DOVE Center received an additional $20,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation, which has allowed the agency to provide additional financial empowerment courses and programs to domestic abuse victims.
“The financial empowerment education, which we really have not been able to provide before, has been a game changer,” said Lindsey Boyer, executive director of DOVE Center.
Financial abuse comes in many forms. Abusers can utilize an assortment of methods to control their partners, including limiting their ability to work, sabotaging employment, and maintaining control of finances. When survivors are absent of these vital skills, they are more likely to stay in abusive situations.
DOVE Center has been able to serve 43 clients in the Moving Ahead Through Financial Management curriculum. Through the courses, survivors are able to gain valuable skills such as personal finance management and setting financial goals and action plans, to name a few. Additionally, DOVE Center has been able to provide six additional life-skills classes at their shelter.
“The Allstate Financial Empowerment grant has allowed us to offer survivors a look at what independence can be for them,” said Ruth Weniger, president of DOVE Center’s board of directors said.
The grant also helps fund other victims’ support costs, such as case management, operations costs of Erin’s House, children’s programming, and other crisis advocacy.
The Allstate Foundation awards funding to organizations across the country 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.
“Financial abuse happens in 99 percent of all cases of domestic violence,” said Shonie Christensen, Utah Allstate agency owner. “I’m happy to be a part of a program that will help survivors take advantage of the curriculum now provided at the DOVE Center so they can take control of their finances and achieve their life goals.”
If you or a loved one is in need of information or resources concerning domestic violence, please call DOVE Center’s 24-hour help line at (435) 628-0458 or visit their website at dovecenter.org.
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