Since 1975, The Center has helped thousands of men and women identify strengths, anticipate barriers and develop strategies for economic success. Call 581-7200 and ask to speak with and Economic Success counselor to learn more. Financial Planning, Budgeting, Savings, Credit Repair and Employment Counseling The Center’s Economic Success counselors work one-on-one with individuals to find employment, manage debt and increase assets. These sessions explore writing resumes, using budgets and setting future financial goals. Counselors and clients also work together on many of the longer-term asset building projects listed below. Open to the public. Eligibility requirements apply. IDA Program The Center’s IDA Programs provide the training and support necessary to build and maintain economic success. An Individual Development Account, or an IDA, is a savings account designed to create homeownership, higher education or business ownership opportunities. For each dollar and IDA participant saves, The Center provides up to a two dollar match. Open to the public. Eligibility requirements apply. Youth IDA Program The IDA Youth Program works to build basic financial fundamentals in the lives of children and young adults. Structured mush like The Center’s adult IDA program, participants in the Youth IDA Program receive a 4 to 1 match on their savings. This savings can be used to purchase a limited number of items, such as musical instruments, computer software, college tuition and school trips. Open to the public. Eligibility requirements apply. Economic Literacy Outreach Project (ELOP) ELOP is a six workshop economic skills building course that provides the fundamentals necessary to escape economic hardship and build financial goals for the future. ELOP workshops are offered at all of The Center’s locations and at many community-based organizations. Open to the public. Eligibility requirements apply. Economic Success Groups Employment groups meet bi-weekly in our shelters to review resumes, write cover letters and practice interview skills. A support group called Realizing your Economic Action Plan (REAP) meets twice a week to discuss the connection between economic abuse and domestic violence. REAP explores strategies for financial empowerment, money safety and credit repair. Closed group. Only open to The Center’s current clients. WORKING TOGETHER Home Cooking Initiative This innovate collaboration with Dare to Care provides The Center’s IDA clients up to $25 of food and personal care items a month. In exchange, clients deposit an extra $25 into their IDA accounts. Dress for Success The Center refers many clients in the process of job hunting to Dress for Success, where they can receive interview outfits and network with of other women entering professional career fields. Freddie Mac Freddie Mac has partnered with the Center for Women and Families to provide educational materials and marketing support for financial literacy workshops that will help victims of domestic and sexual violence begin rebuilding their lives. Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) The LABC is a broad-based collaborative dedicated to promoting financial stability for individuals and families. The Center refers clients to the LABC for information about free tax preparation work. Kentucky Housing Corporation The Center provides pre-purchase, post-purchase and foreclosure prevention counseling sessions to through the Kentucky Housing Corporation. In partnership with the Kentucky Housing Corporation, The Center provides periodic day-long "Yes You Can…Own a Home" seminars to first-time homeowners. WHAT IS ECONOMIC ABUSE? Economic abuse can be a lot of different tactics used by a current or past partner to maintain financial power and control in a relationship. Warning signs include: :: Controlling how you spend money :: Dictating where you work :: Spending money you’ve earned without telling you :: Using your credit cards without your permission :: Destroying your credit rating :: Forcing you to give your paycheck to them :: Not letting you have your own bank account :: Harassing you at your workplace to cause loss of job :: Refusing to pay child support The Center understands that victims of domestic and sexual violence often face challenges finding jobs and housing because of poor credit, rental and employment histories caused by the abuse they have survived. The Center is dedicated to helping survivors of domestic and sexual violence reach economic self-sufficiency. It is possible, with a little help and a lot of perseverance. The Center offers a variety of programming designed to meet the needs of people at different stages of economic success.