Allstate Grant

WCA’s Bev La Chance and Debora DeSousa celebrate receipt of the $10,000 grant award for financial education from the Allstate Foundation

October 25, 2017

For Immediate Release

GRANT SUPPORTS FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR DOMESTIC & SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS

Allstate Foundation Awards Women’s and Children’s Alliance $10,000

Boise, ID – The Allstate Foundation has awarded the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) a grant for $10,000 to support financial literacy education.

The WCA is the lead agency for Treasure Valley Economic Action Program (TVEAP), which began in 2010 as a collaborative effort of six valley agencies. The financial literacy curriculum is evidence-based, specifically developed to empower women to achieve economic self-sufficiency through personal financial and money management education, thus assisting women to move toward greater economic and personal autonomy and to move away from abuser dependency.

Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault face many obstacles before they are truly free and financial abuse occurs in 99 percent of domestic violence cases. According to purplepurse.com, the number one reason domestic violence survivors stay or return to an abusive relationship is that they don’t have the financial resources to break free.

“Our financial literacy program equips participants with strategies and conversations that highlight economic independence and stability in the areas of budgeting, credit, banking, saving and goal-setting,” said Deborah DeSousa, M.Ed., Certified Financial Educator/Coach.

The curriculum contains information that teaches women about safety, empowerment, and economic abuse in addition to financial concepts. The financial literacy educator generally provides the classes on-site at the participating agency. To date, more than 1,380 women have participated in the classes and 1,188 have graduated.

“Allstate Insurance is more than a company that does business in Idaho – it’s part of the fabric that makes up our local community. Through the support of The Allstate Foundation, we are able to provide our clients with education that empowers them to achieve financial independence and economic self-determination. The Allstate Foundation is an important partner in meeting our mission of providing safety, healing and freedom to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault,” said Bev La Chance, M.Ed., Deputy Director for the Women’s and Children’s Alliance.

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About the Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on teen safe driving and building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, The Allstate Foundation also promotes safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.

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.