Economic Empowerment Key to Aiding Domestic Violence Victims

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- One of the greatest challenges victims of domestic violence face when they decide to leave their abusers is finding the financial resources to start a new life. That's why The Allstate Foundation and the University at Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership will co-sponsor a workshop on teaching economic empowerment skills.

The workshop aims to provide social service practitioners with strategies to help domestic violence victims understand their financial circumstances and develop plans to accomplish their goals. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 22 in the Center for Tomorrow on UB's North (Amherst) Campus.

Anzala B. Alozie, J.D., of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, will present "Moving Ahead Through Financial Management," an economic empowerment curriculum developed by The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program.

Nearly 70 participants from area organizations are expected to attend.

"Victims of domestic violence need targeted tools and strategies to help them deal with their financial struggles and plan for safe, secure futures," said Krista Conte, senior manager of corporate relations at The Allstate Foundation, New York. "However, there is a significant gap in resources for programs designed to assist survivors with the multifaceted economic challenges that they face. That's why we developed this program."

The initiative is supported by The Allstate Foundation, which provides philanthropic grants to nonprofit organizations whose programs fit within specified criteria for community development; tolerance, inclusion and diversity; and economic empowerment.

The program also is supported by the Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs Domestic Violence Advisory Board, which includes representatives from Child and Family Services, the Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence, the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, the Family Justice Center, Haven House, the UB Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the UB Law School's Women, Children and Social Justice Clinic and the United Way's C.A.S.H. (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Coalition.

The Wall Street Journal has ranked the UB School of Management No. 9 in the nation among schools with strong regional recruiting bases. In addition, BusinessWeek has ranked the school as one of the country's top 5 business schools for the fastest return on MBA investment, and Forbes cited it as one of the best business schools in the U.S. for the return on investment it provides MBA graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit http://mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system that is its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.