CRESTVIEW — Shelter House is continuing its financial education and economic empowerment workshops thanks to a $34,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation.
The grant funds allow Shelter House and community partners like Wells Fargo to teach domestic violence survivors how to budget, build savings and repair credit scores.
“Domestic violence survivors are often the victims of financial abuse as well,” said Michelle Sperzel, Shelter House's executive director. “The abuser might have restricted access to money, ruined the victim’s credit, forbidden her to work or even harassed her on the job, causing a spotty work history. Learning about financial tools and strategies is critical to survivors as they move safely toward independence.”
Shelter House offers workshops that are free and open to the public as well. Previous topics under the WAM! (Women and Money) banner have included Investing 101, Organizing Your Finances and Car Basics.
Workshops for kids and teens set them up for a lifetime of financial confidence and success. YES! (Youth Economic Strategies) workshops include topics such as money management, job readiness skills, budgeting, saving, credit, college admission and financial aid.
The economic empowerment program allows Shelter House to offer individual development accounts to participants who can work toward financial goals. A participant deposits money into an account, and Shelter House matches it two to one for goals such as debt reduction, housing, transportation, education and micro-enterprise.
Call Shelter House, 243-1201, for more information.
WHAT: WAM! (Women and Money) workshop
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10
WHERE: First Baptist Church in Crestview
NOTES: Covers topics like checking and saving basics, identity theft, loans, retirement and taxes. Lunch will be provided.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Grant helps Shelter House continue financial education