Economic Empowerment Program
98% of domestic violence survivors experience economic abuse
We provide economic empowerment resources and tools to support survivors in creating sustainable pathways to economic safety and freedom
“The program gave me hope. I’m excited to take the skills I learned to my new job.”
In 98% of domestic violence cases, economic abuse occurs and is often the main reason survivors stay or return to abusive partners.
Establishing economic security and stability is an integral part of providing holistic care to our clients and an essential part of a survivor’s healing process. Our goal is to survivors of domestic violence and homeless families in reclaiming what was lost as a result of the abuse they experienced.
Common signs of financial abuse include:
- Withholding money or restricting assets
- Not allowing a partner to work or forcing a partner to work and taking their wages
- Withholding important identification documents
- Opening credit cards or financial accounts in a partner’s name without their knowledge and then neglecting to pay the bills
- Coercing a survivor to open financial accounts with the threat or perceived threat of endangerment to themselves, children, and/or pets
How We Help
We believe financial independence is key to helping survivors build safer, more sustainable lives for themselves and their families. The Economic Empowerment Program at URI works with survivors to create short- and long-term financial plans with clients, equipping survivors with the resources to gain and maintain control over their financial futures.
Our program provides clients with career and financial workshops through trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens. In addition to workshops, our program offers the following services:
- Individualized support to co-create plans that establish economic safety, stability, and security informed by the survivor’s financial history, current situation, their work experience, skills, and interests.
- Workshops & Virtual Workshops on topics from resume and cover letter writing to mock interviewing to how to make the best first impression. Trainings are also offered on gaining conflict resolution skills and navigating boundaries and triggers in the workplace.
- Internships and Externships that help survivors learn marketable skills and gain experience in professional work environments. This provides a space to put into action the skills they have learned during workshops and network.
- Specialized Programs & Training in administration, bookkeeping, and more
- Legal Education and Advocacy Program
(LEAP) helps survivors with longstanding financial issues work with legal advisors to address credit and debt issues that could have a long-term impact on their financial stability and ability to obtain permanent housing.
URI’s Economic Empowerment Center will offer survivors state-of-the-art technology, an on-site mechatronics lab, and career exploration tools like Occupational Information Network (O*NET). The Center will be uniquely focused on preparing youth for jobs of the future in technology and other high-growth industries to counter intergenerational cycles of poverty.
Ways to Partner with URI’s Economic Empowerment Program
In order to provide the best services to our clients, we seek partners from a variety of different types of companies and organizations to expand our reach. We are currently building our network of employer partnerships, training provider partnerships, internship opportunities, and apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information or to partner with URI’s Economic Empowerment Program, please contact our team at eepinfo@urinyc.org.
Recent Graduates of Career Exploration Program
“In the workshops I learned a lot of interesting and useful things, such as ways to improve my credit and interview do’s and don’ts. I’m happy and proud of myself!”
