July 29, 2021
For Immediate Release
KEYBANK FOUNDATION SUPPORTS FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT EDUCATION
Financial Abuse Happens in 98 Percent of Abusive Relationships—Education Helps Victims of Domestic Abuse Achieve Freedom
Boise, ID –KeyBank Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) to support financial empowerment education programming for residential and community clients. The funding will be used to provide educational workshops for adults, youth and teens, and individual coaching sessions.
WCA’s Financial Empowerment Education Program offers four individual workshops about budgeting, credit, savings and financial resources. Participants who complete all workshops receive a course completion certificate with the added benefit of free, ongoing financial coaching.
WCA’s Certified Financial Coach and Educator has continued to provide education to individuals and groups through virtual sessions, giving consistency in her service delivery into the community.
“These funds will help provide continued support to our families in marginalized communities, as well as increase our capacity to facilitate workshops and outreach events for adults, youth and teens,” said Deborah DeSousa, WCA’s Certified Financial Coach and Educator.
During this global health crisis, we have modified the way we deliver some services, moving to telephonic and video conferencing solutions to help protect the health and safety of our staff and clients. However, we have continued to provide critical WCA services. We know that many individuals within our community already at risk of domestic abuse may experience even more vulnerable and dangerous circumstances.
In 2020, the WCA experienced an 84% increase in the number of domestic violence–related calls to our 24-hour hotline and a 375% increase in the average number of emergency intakes into shelter. By June 2021, the number of calls to our hotlines had reached an all-time high both in sheer volume and in the number related to domestic violence.
“There are many in our community in harmful situations and they are reaching out for help in record numbers. We are extremely grateful for the support of generous partners like KeyBank Foundation, who allow us to continue to provide life-changing services like financial empowerment programming,” said Bea Black, WCA CEO.
About the WCA
The Women’s & Children’s Alliance provides safety, healing and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault. The WCA operates secure shelters and provides professional counseling, legal advocacy, crisis services and case management to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. For more information, visit www.wcaboise.org.
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CONTACT:
Chris Campbell-Davis, Communications Manager
Office: 208.343.3688 ext. 0211
Cell: 208.249.9287
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