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Month: July 2014

Huffington Post: Financial Abuse Takes Heavy Toll on Domestic Violence Survivors

In a recent article,  Huffington Post contributor Melissa Jeltsen talks about a recent study from Rutgers University that examines the impact of financial abuse on domestic violence survivors. The article explores the emerging understanding that financial literacy should not be viewed as a luxury or secondary service but a key part of a survivor’s long-term safety and healing. “Kim Pentico, the senior economic justice specialist at National Network To End Domestic Violence who trains advocates, said perceptions on financial programs for survivors are beginning to change. In the past, Pentico said, offering financial education was seen as “icing on the cake,” a nice service when there was extra time and funding. But now, it’s being recognized as a core service.” The article highlights the experiences of several survivors and is very similar to the stories shared by our most recent WINGS participants. The only program of its kind currently operating in Contra Costa County, Women INspired to Grow and Succeed (WINGS), was designed to increase self-sufficiency and leadership skills of survivors of interpersonal violence.  WINGS is built upon a promising practices model based on the Allstate Foundations’ Career and Financial Empowerment curriculum and supplemental materials designed specifically to meet the needs of Contra Costa residents. The goal of WINGS is to empower and educate survivors of family and sexual violence so that they are able to set and achieve personal and professional goals. Topics include financial literacy, educational goals, career sustainability, goal setting, resume and interview skills, entrepreneurial skills, and stress management. These skill-building topics will be mixed with emotional support discussions and activities; it is critical that participants feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives. Read the full article here. To learn more about WINGS, contact Elizabeth Wilmerding at (510) 965-4933 or ewilmerding@wccfjc.org

Family Justice Community News- July 2014

Family Justice Community News By Susun Kim, Executive Director (July 2014)   In July, we started our first cooking classes at the Family Justice Center.  “Cooking  Matters” is a free series of bilingual cooking and nutrition workshops designed to  teach participants to shop smarter, make healthier choices and cook delicious  meals. Founded in 1993, Cooking Matters is a nationally renowned program working  to end childhood hunger. Like the Family Justice Center, Cooking Matters is a model  of collaboration.  It leverages the strengths of the national organization Share Our Strength and local partners.                                                           We have 10 women and 1 man registered for the inaugural series of 6 weekly workshops, with a dozen more residents wait-listed. The Center provides child care, and the children of participants get to eat delicious meals prepared by their parents. In our June e-Newsletter, I shared our interest in promoting healthy eating and active living in our community.  Cooking Matters complements our resilience-based approach and creates improved connections among our former clients and other residents. Women Inspired to Grow and Succeed (WINGS)  Women Inspired to Grow and Succeed (WINGS) is the Center’s long-term safety program. With the goal of increasing self-sufficiency and leadership skills of our low income survivors, WINGS is built on a promising practices model based on the Allstate Foundation’s curriculum.  We offer seven workshops on budgeting, debt management, goal setting, record keeping and financial literacy.  Our first cohort of 10 graduates had a lot to say about the program: “I found this workshop very helpful and relevant to my needs.” “New goals, new ideas.” “I think this is a good thing for us.” “Program helps restore hope for the future and ways to plan and prepare for it.” “I felt the WINGS workshop was very informative, and would like to see more classes.” We will offer our next series in English or Spanish in the fall.  We also offer “train the trainer” workshops for those providers interested in incorporating the WINGS curriculum in their services. Thank you to STAND! for Families Free of Violence for their continued partnership in offering this program.   Thanks to Our Funders We recently shared the great news about Kaiser Permanente’s support for the Center that took us one giant step closer to our permanent home in downtown Richmond. We also want to acknowledge Y&H Soda Foundation for their steadfast and committed partnership and The California Endowment for their encouragement of the Center’s community building work. Most recently, the San Pablo Community Foundation joined the ranks to support our work in building a community free of violence.  Just last week, we received our first check from AT&T for our WINGS program.   We are grateful to our foundation and corporate partners and ask YOU to join our Peace Plaza campaign.  

Press Release: Safety and Healing of Abuse Victims Supported by Kaiser Permanente

Safety and Healing of Abuse Victims Supported by Kaiser Permanente July 8, 201 For Immediate Release Press Contact 510-985-4949 Susun Kim, skim@wccfjc.org   Richmond, CA — West Contra Costa residents experiencing family violence or sexual assault are one step closer to having a warm and welcoming one-stop service center.  The building of a permanent home for the Family Justice Center in Richmond, CA has become a reality, thanks to a new $600,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente. “Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with our Center has been invaluable.  Our Center’s resilience based approach to interpersonal violence and promoting healthy relationships is in line with their commitment to building healthy communities,” said Family Justice Center Executive Director Susun Kim. The Family Justice Center brings multiple agencies together under one roof to coordinate wrap-around service delivery for victims of violence, their families, children, and youth in West Contra Costa County. Once complete, its 7,000-square foot permanent facility in Richmond, CA, will have close to 20 on-site partner agencies providing crisis response, safety planning, emergency shelter assistance, advocacy, peer support, mental health services, law enforcement assistance, civil legal help, and more. “Violence has far-reaching consequences that go beyond direct physical injury to individuals—it impacts the overall health and vitality of our communities,” said Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente’s Vice President of External and Community Affairs in Northern California. “As a health care organization committed to total health, we believe that by supporting the Family Justice Center in bringing together a range of comprehensive services for violence survivors, we can help make our communities healthier and safer.” While the Center has enjoyed the support from many funders, including Y&H Soda Foundation and the California Endowment, Kaiser Permanente’s grant represents the largest one since the Center opened at its temporary pilot site in 2011.  This grant will help build the permanent home that will bring safety, healing and hope for many survivors and their families. For more information about the Family Justice Center, please visit www.wccfjc.org.

Family Justice Center hosts ‘Cooking Matters’ classes in July

This is the last call to register for the FREE six week Cooking Matters class. Child care is provided!!    All classes will be provided in English and Spanish. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. COOKING MATTERS Learn how to prepare fast, delicious and healthy meals on a budget   Come join us for 6 FREE cooking classes!  Practice skills like: ·    Preparing healthy and delicious recipes quickly ·    Buying fruits and vegetables on a budget ·    Comparing prices to find bargains ·    Reading and comparing food labels ·    Planning affordable meals and sticking to your budget! In each class you will: ·    Cook and eat a healthy meal ·    Receive a FREE bag of fresh produce and new recipes to make at home  Graduates from Cooking Matters will receive a: ·    Free book full of tasty recipes and tips on how to choose and buy healthy, low-cost foods ·    Reusable grocery bag ·    Cutting board and meat thermometer To register, contact Elizabeth Wilmerding at 510-965-4949 or ewilmerding@wccfjc.org

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