Ending the Cycle
Through our Stepping Stones grant, Washington Area Women’s Foundation was able to empower Doorways for Women and Families to help those fleeing domestic violence and homelessness.
Things many of us consider basic financial knowledge—such as learning how to access your credit report, correcting any errors, negotiating and paying down debt—are essential life skills that most of the women in Doorways’ shelter did not possess. Quite often their credit was destroyed without their knowledge by their abusers, creating even greater barriers to independent living. Without the skills to negotiate or plan for their financial future, they were returning to their abusers.
Creating Opportunities for Success
Thanks to The Women’s Foundation’s Stepping Stones Program Doorways was able to make some positive changes to services they offer in their shelter. Determined to help stop the cycle of abuse, Doorways for Women and Families launched their Financial Independence Track program in 2005, which has experienced tremendous results.
Through Stepping Stones, Doorways was also able to add a third FIT counselor to their team, expand their services to include employment goals, conduct employment assessments, provide job-related counseling, help with resumes, and more. The additional resources enabled them to meet with local businesses, community partners, volunteers, and organizations to build connections with their clients.
With this expanded capacity, Doorways began to close the gap in client outcomes that had been lagging in the years following the recession and in light of more significant barriers to employment.
Positively Impacting Lives
In just the first six months, Doorways served 40 households. Of those participating, 93% demonstrated increased financial knowledge. Though helping 70% of participants who had at least three FIT sessions reduce their debt was probably the proudest moment.
The Women’s Foundation support – with its focus on financial literacy as a part of the strategy to support women lifting themselves out of poverty – is enabling Doorways to educate women in need about managing their personal finances, and getting one step closer to a happy and healthy independent life.
Learn about the impact of Doorways’ Safehouse program in the life of one woman here.
