Money School for Abuse Survivors Set in Pittsfield, North Adams
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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault may benefit from a financial education workshop series designed to bolster their financial expertise.
“Money School” is a five-week financial education workshop series that covers topics like setting financial goals, making a budget, paying down debt, saving money and making investments. The program, which starts in February, is being offered by the American Institute for Economic Research, in partnership with Elizabeth Freeman Center.
Workshops will be offered in two locations, North Adams and Pittsfield, and will be held once a week for five weeks. A $250 stipend will be provided to those who complete the course, as well as free dinner, childcare, one-on-one financial coaches from local banks, and the opportunity to network with other resource providers in the community.
“Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are often left struggling financially and can have low financial confidence,” said Nicole Kreisberg, senior research analyst at AIER, and manager of the program. The series, she said, will give women “a chance to take ownership over their finances and gain the confidence to prepare themselves financially and independently for the future.”
"Abuse often has a financial component,” said Becca Bradburd, director of Operations at Elizabeth Freeman Center. “And financial abuse can be devastating – abusers may take their victims’ wages, destroy their credit, sabotage their professional careers, and denigrate their sense of worth. We are excited about collaborating with AIER on a financial know-how series for survivors that is premised on an understanding of what it is like to have experienced financial abuse and that brings a lot of resources to the table for the participants.”
A gift of $50 will be provided to all women who attend introductory information sessions.
North Adams workshops will be held at the Elizabeth Freeman Center’s North County location, 85 Main St. #300, North Adams, on every Tuesday from February 10 until March 10 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. To register, contact Mary at Elizabeth Freeman Center’s North Adams Office, 413-663-7459 by Jan. 27 and attend an informational session on Feb. 3. The informational session is at the same location, and starts at 5:30 p.m.
Pittsfield workshops will be held at the Elizabeth Freeman Center, 43 Francis Ave., Pittsfield, on every Wednesday from March 11 until April 8 from 5.30 to 8 p.m. To register, contact Becca at Elizabeth Freeman Center’s Pittsfield office 413-499-2425 by Jan. 28, and attend an informational session on Feb. 4. The informational session is at the same location and starts at 5:30 p.m.
Money School is funded in part by Boston-based Rosie’s Place through the Kip Tiernan Social Justice Fellowship.
The American Institute for Economic Research provides independent research and critical analysis of economic and financial issues. AIER researchers provide ordinary people with expert advice and insight they can use to improve their lives and communities. For more information, visit http://AIER.org.
Elizabeth Freeman Center is the domestic and sexual violence response center for Berkshire County. Each year, it provides leadership and services to over 2,000 survivors in Berkshire County and offers violence prevention education to almost 2,000 youth in area schools. To learn more, visit http://www.elizabethfreemancenter.org/.
